EP3 — Brachypodium distachyon

Summary

BdEP3 (BRADI_2G26000V3) on chromosome 2 of Brachypodium distachyon encodes a chitinase with beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity, belonging to the glycoside hydrolase family 19 and containing a chitin-binding domain. This extracellular enzyme is associated with chitin breakdown, amino sugar metabolism, cell wall macromolecule catabolic processes, and polysaccharide catabolism. BdEP3 is associated with defence responses, particularly against fungi, as well as the killing of cells of other organisms and root development. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to similar defence-related and developmental functions.