| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the subject new DNA, having a specific amino acid sequence, capable of coding a polypeptide capable of manifesting chitinase activities and useful for production, etc., of an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing chitin and affording a raw material for skin coating agents good in biocompatibility, cosmetic materials, etc. SOLUTION: This new DNA is capable of coding a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence represented by formula I or II or a polypeptide in which one or more amino acids in the amino acid sequence are substituted by other amino acids or removed or one or more amino acids are added to the amino acid sequence without substantially deteriorating chitinase activities and the polypeptide has the chitinase activities. The DNA is useful for production, etc., of an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing chitin and providing a skin coating agent excellent in biocompatibility, a cosmetic raw material, etc., excellent in water holding properties. The DNA is obtained by screening a cDNA library prepared from an mRNA of a ciliate collected from a caprine stomach by hydrolyzing performances of chitin. |
