Abstract: Objective To clone and express the mouse acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) gene and protein, and to analyze the hydrolysis of the cell walls of Trichophyton rubrum and Candida albicans by this enzyme. Methods Total RNA was isolated from the stomach of BALB/c mouse, and AMCase gene was amplified by RT-PCR. The recombinant fusion expression vector of pET28a (+)-AMCase was constructed. AMCase protein was expressed in prokaryotic system and purified. After incubation of AMCase with the cell wall extracts, the level of N-acetylglucosamine was measured. Results AMCase gene was cloned and expressed successfully. Purified AMCase protein can hydrolyse the chitin in the cell walls of T. rubrum and C. albicans. Conclusion The AMCase expressed in prokaryotic system can hydrolyse chitin in the cell walls of T. rubrum and C. albicans, which implies its antifungal potential.

Key words: Chitin, Trichophyton, Candida albicans, Chitinase