SPP 2416: CodeChi - Chitin, chitosan and chito-oligosaccharides and their interaction with proteins of the extracellular matrix and cellular signaling

甲壳素和壳聚糖(C/CS)是自然界中含量最丰富、用途最广的聚合物之一，作为结构成分存在于多种类型的细胞外基质中。其巨大范围的不同物理力学性能背后的结构原理目前尚不清楚。同样，C/CS的生物合成、组装和降解，以及它们与细胞成分的相互作用，以及它们参与生物之间的交流，都鲜为人知。基于新的证据，我们坚信C/CS的分子精细结构(例如聚合度、乙酰化程度和模式)有助于定义含有C/CS的生物基质和功能材料的性质。此外，人、动物和植物免疫系统中的C/CS结合受体在感知到C/CS降解酶作用下产生的C/CS寡聚体(COS)时会触发防御反应。因此，我们假设C/CS和COS的精细结构中含有一个密码，我们称之为“CodeCHI”，它是由产生这些聚合物的生物体中的各种C/CS结合和C/CS修饰蛋白以及环境宿主中感知含C/CS的生物体中的C/CS降解酶和C/CS结合受体来“编写”、“制定”和“解释”的。优先方案2416旨在破译“CodeCHI”，了解自然界中C/CS功能的分子和生物物理原理，并利用这一知识制造功能材料。协调项目负责通过确保不同学科之间的有效协作和为成功的工作提供必要的基础设施来实现SPP2416的总体目标。它将成为研究联盟管理和协调的中心界面。协调项目将建立和维持科学交流和联网活动的多个平台，并采取措施确保公众和国际能见度。它将特别支持年轻调查人员的早期职业生涯，应用促进机会平等的工具，促进妇女和家庭友好的政策。最后，协调项目将管理三个服务项目，这三个项目在以下方面提供专门知识和能力：1)化学定义的壳寡糖的合成和结构分析；2)特定几丁质和壳聚糖的生产以及聚合度和乙酰化程度的定量分析；3)确定蛋白质与结晶甲壳素纳米纤维和甲壳低聚物结合的动力学参数。协调办公室将设在锡根大学自然科学与技术学院化学-生物系，并将支持协调员的工作。

Chitin and chitosans (C/CS) are among the most abundant and versatile polymers in nature, occurring as structural components in numerous types of extracellular matrices. The structural tenets underlying their immense range of different physicomechanical properties are currently unknown. Equally, C/CS biosynthesis, assembly and degradation as well as their interactions with cellular components and their involvement in the communication between organisms are poorly understood. Based on emerging new evidence, we strongly believe that the molecular fine structure of C/CS (e.g. degree of polymerization; the degree and pattern of acetylation), contributes to define the properties of C/CS-containing biological matrices and functional materials. In addition, C/CS-binding receptors of human, animal and plant immune systems trigger defense reactions upon perception of C/CS oligomers (COS) produced by the action of C/CS-degrading enzymes. Thus, we hypothesize that the fine-structure of C/CS and COS harbors a code, which we term “CodeChi”, that is “written”, “enacted” and “interpreted” by a large variety of C/CS-binding and C/CS-modifying proteins in organisms that produce these polymers, as well as C/CS-degrading enzymes and C/CS-binding receptors in environmental hosts that perceive C/CS-containing organisms. The Priority Programme 2416 aims to decrypt “CodeChi”, to understand the molecular and biophysical principles of C/CS functions in nature and to utilize this knowledge for the fabrication of functional materials. The coordination project accounts responsible for achieving the overall goals of the SPP2416 by ensuring effective collaboration between the different disciplines and providing the necessary infrastructure for a successful work. It will be the central interface for administration and coordination of the research consortium. The coordination project will establish and maintain multiple platforms for scientific exchange and networking activities, and pursue measures to ensure public and international visibility. It will particularly support young investigators in their early careers, apply instruments for equal opportunity, female and family-friendly promoting policies. Finally, the coordination projects will govern three service projects that provide expertise and capability in: 1) the synthesis and structural analysis of chemically defined chito-oligosaccharides; 2) production of specific chitins and chitosans and quantitative analysis of the degree of polymerization and fraction of acetylation; 3) determination of kinetic parameters for the binding of proteins to crystalline chitin nanofibers and chito-oligomers. The coordination office will be located at the Department of Chemistry-Biology, School of Natural Science and Technology, University of Siegen, and will support the coordinator in his work.