CHIT3 — Cucumis melo

Summary

MELO3C006069.2 (CHIT3) on melon chromosome 7 encodes a chitinase with lysozyme activity and calcium ion binding, belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase 18 catalytic domain family. The gene is associated with chitin and polysaccharide breakdown, amino sugar metabolism, and the metabolic burst, as well as auxin polar transport, seed germination, seedling development, and defence responses to fungi. It is linked to localization in the amyloplast, vacuole, and extracellular. Associations with agronomic traits include fruit width, fruit weight, root dry weight, and plant height. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to chitinase and lysozyme enzyme classes (EC 3.2.1.14 and 3.2.1.17) and, more distantly, to carotene content.