a SDS-PAGE analysis of Chi18H8 purification. Lanes 1 and 2, E. coli pGEX-6P-3::chi18H8 insoluble and soluble fractions; lane 3, elution with reduced glutathione of the GST-chi18H8 fusion protein; lane 4, Chi18H8 after on-column cleavage of GST-tag; lane 5, elution with reduced glutathione of the GST-tag and PreScission protease; lane 6, PreScission buffer for the on-column cleavage. LMW Marker (PageRuler™ Prestained Protein Ladder, Fermentas); lane S standard Rhodotorula gracilis His6-d amino acid oxidase, 36 kDa, kindly provided by Prof. Pollegioni, University of Insubria. b Zymogram analysis of the purified GST-Chi18H8 (lane 1) and Chi18H8 (lane 2) with CM-chitin-RBV as substrate