EP3 — Oryza sativa Indica Group

Summary

BGIOSGA014806 (EP3, OiEP3) on chromosome 4 of Indica rice encodes a protein with glycosyl hydrolase family 19, chitin-binding, and endochitinase-like domains, exhibiting chitinase activity, chitin binding, and protein binding. This gene is associated with chitin and polysaccharide breakdown, cell wall modification, membrane biogenesis, and amino sugar metabolism. It is linked to responses to fungi, oomycetes, insects, viruses, silver ions, amitrole, and hypoxia, as well as systemic acquired resistance, jasmonic acid/ethylene-dependent defense signaling, and somatic embryogenesis. The encoded protein localizes to the apoplast, cell wall, vacuole, secretory vesicles, and extracellular space. Associations with drought tolerance, salt tolerance, seed germination under salt stress, ethylene sensitivity, and pathogen resistance have been noted. Related genes in other species are linked to pollen tube growth and disease resistance to Botrytis cinerea.