Visualization of alpha-chitin with a specific chitin-binding protein (CHB1) from Streptomyces olivaceoviridis.

Recently we identified a so far unique protein (CHB1) which interacts specifically with crystalline alpha-chitin. Having optimized the binding conditions for CHB1 coupled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), we succeeded in developing a highly sensitive assay to detect alpha-chitin. CHB1-FITC interacted neither with beta- or colloidal chitin nor with chitooligomers or cellulose. With the help of fluorescence or confocal laser microscopy, the relative location of crystalline alpha-chitin within various native samples of fungi and other organisms can be clearly and rapidly visualized.