Single-channel characterization of the chitooligosaccharide transporter chitoporin (SmChiP) from the opportunistic pathogen Serratia marcescens.

Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic pathogen that can utilize chitin as a carbon source, through its ability to produce chitin-degrading enzymes to digest chitin and membrane transporters to transport the degradation products (chitooligosaccharides) into the cells. Further characterization of these proteins is important to understand details of chitin metabolism. Here, we investigate the properties and function of the S.

and design of cordycepin encapsulation in liposomes for colon cancer treatment.

Cordycepin or 3'-deoxyadenosine is an interesting anti-cancer drug candidate that is found in abundance in the fungus . It inhibits cellular growth of many cancers including lung carcinoma, melanoma, bladder cancer, and colon cancer by inducing apoptosis, anti-proliferation, anti-metastasis and by arresting the cell cycle. Cordycepin has, however, poor stability and low solubility in water, resulting in loss of its bioactivity.

Chitoporin from Serratia marcescens: recombinant expression, purification and crystallization.

Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic pathogen that commonly causes hospital-acquired infections and can utilize chitin-enriched nutrients as an alternative energy source. This study reports the identification of a chitoporin (ChiP), termed SmChiP, from the outer membrane of S. marcescens.