Isolation of Chitinase B [ChiB] gene from Serratia plymutica strain UBCF_13

Abstract The utilization of synthetic fungicides harms the environment. Several studies have been carried out to control disease in plants using biocontrol agents and bio fungicides that more environmentally friendly. Laboratory tests showed that bacterial isolates UBCF_13 can act as biocontrol of pathogenic fungi that have been identified as Serratia plymutica bacteria. This bacteria is capable of producing chitinase enzymes that can degrade pathogenic fungal cell walls. The study was aimed to isolate the chitinase B gene from Serratia plymuticha strain UBCF_13. Cloning of the chitinase B [ChiB] gene from the bacterial genome UBCF_13 was carried out using a PCR-based cloning strategy using specific primers. The UBCF_13 ChiB gene was successfully isolated and identified with a sequence of 1583 bp covering ORF of 1500 bp which encodes 499 amino acids. Domain analysis exhibited 2 functional domains, namely catalytic and the chitin-binding domain. The 3D analysis of the ChiB protein structure indicates a similar function with the c1ur88 template which is identified as ChiB. Further research is necessary to determine the optimal method to express and determine its detailed function.