chitosanase belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase 46 family
This family is composed of the chitosanase enzymes which hydrolyzes chitosan, a biopolymer of beta (1,4)-linked-D-glucosamine (GlcN) residues produced by partial or full deacetylation of chitin. Chitosanases play a role in defense against pathogens such as fungi and are found in microorganisms, fungi, viruses, and plants. Microbial chitosanases can be divided into 3 subclasses based on the specificity of the cleavage positions for partial acetylated chitosan. Subclass I chitosanases such as N174 can split GlcN-GlcN and GlcNAc-GlcN linkages, whereas subclass II chitosanases such as Bacillus sp. no. 7-M can cleave only GlcN-GlcN linkages. Subclass III chitosanases such as MH-K1 chitosanase are the most versatile and can split both GlcN-GlcN and GlcN-GlcNAc linkages.
Jiyao W et al.(2023). "The conserved domain database in 2023.",