Molecular characterization and function of β-N-acetylglucosaminidase from ridgetail white prawn Exopalaemon carinicauda

Chitin degradation is catalyzed by a two-component chitinolytic enzyme system, chitinase and β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGase). In this paper, the full-length cDNA sequence encoding NAGase (EcNAG) was obtained from Exopalaemon carinicauda. The deduced amino acid sequence of EcNAG open reading frame (ORF) contained one Glycohydro_20b2 domain and one Glyco_hydro_20 domain. Based on the cDNA sequence, the genomic structure of EcNAG was characterized and it was composed of six exons and five introns. EcNAG mRNA majorly expressed in the hepatopancreas and epidermis. During the molting stages, EcNAG mRNA expression was well-regulated and its expression reached the highest level at the molting stage E. In addition, EcNAG was recombinant expressed in Pichia pastoris and the partial enzymatic characterization of recombinant EcNAG was confirmed. After being challenged with Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Aeromonas hydrophila, the expression of EcNAG was up-regulated significantly at 6 h and reached the peak at 12 h. And then, the expression began to down-regulated and came to the normal level at 72 h. It is helpful to research the relationship between the molt-related hormones and chitinlytic enzymes.