CHIT3 — Medicago truncatula

Summary

MTR_1G099310 (CHIT3, also known as MtACCICER) on barrel medic chromosome 1 encodes a chitinase with lysozyme activity and calcium ion binding capability, belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase 18 family. The gene is associated with chitin and polysaccharide breakdown, amino sugar metabolism, nitrogen fixation, nodulation, spore formation and germination, seed germination, seedling development, and defence response to fungi. Its product localises to the amyloplast, vacuole, and extracellular space. The gene has been connected to seed hardness, seed dormancy, and biomass yield. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to traits including drought tolerance, plant height, root architecture, seed weight, chlorophyll content, and phosphorus content.