Chitin deacetylase: from molecular structure to practical applications

Chitosan and chitooligosaccharides (COS), as derivatives of chitin through deacetylation reaction, have broad applications due to their good biodegradability, biocompatibility, solubility. In addition, chitosan COS are involved in cell wall morphogenesis host–pathogen interactions vivo. Chitin deacetylases (CDAs) enzymes that can catalyze the de-N-acetylation chitin. They widely distributed protozoa, algae, bacteria, fungi, insects with important physiological functions. Compared traditional chemical method, enzymatic catalysis by CDAs provides an method produce controllable site environmental friendliness. These characteristics attract researchers fungicides or pesticides. However, researches on heterologous expression directed evolution still lacking. this review, we summarize latest knowledge CDAs, especially for systems strategies, which may contribute industrial production future application CDAs.