Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Preparation of Fungal and Plant Materials for Structural Elucidation Using Dynamic Nuclear Polarization Solid-State NMR
Published on: February 12, 2019
Fungal cell wall chitinases and glucanases
1School of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
Abstract:
The fungal cell wall is a complex structure composed of chitin, glucans and other polymers, and there is evidence of extensive cross-linking between these components. The wall structure is highly dynamic, changing constantly during cell division, growth and morphogenesis. Hydrolytic enzymes, closely associated with the cell wall, have been implicated in the maintenance of wall plasticity and may have roles during branching and cross-linking of polymers. Most fungal cell wall hydrolases identified to date have chitinase or glucanase activity and this short article reviews the apparent functions of these enzymes in unicellular and filamentous fungi, and the mechanisms that regulate enzyme activity in yeasts.
Related Concept Videos
Plant Cell Wall
Cellulose and Pectic Polysaccharides
As a cell matures, its cell wall specializes according to its type. For example, the parenchyma cells of...
Role of Microtubules in Cell Wall Deposition
Overview of Fungi
Archaeal Cell Wall
Antifungal Agents

