EP3 — Oryza sativa Indica Group

Summary

BGIOSGA014808 (symbol EP3, also known as Cht4) on chromosome 4 of Indica rice encodes a protein with chitinase activity (EC 3.2.1.14), chitin binding and protein binding, belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase 19 family. The gene is associated with chitin breakdown, polysaccharide catabolism, cell wall modification, membrane biogenesis, and responses to fungi, oomycetes, insects, viruses, hypoxia, silver ions, and amitrole. It is linked to systemic acquired resistance, jasmonic acid/ethylene-dependent defense signaling, somatic embryogenesis, and killing of other organisms. The product localizes to the apoplast, plant-type cell wall, vacuole, secretory vesicle, and extracellular space. Associations with drought tolerance, salt tolerance, seed germination under salt stress, ethylene sensitivity, pathogen resistance, nematode resistance, and growth have been noted. Related genes in other species are linked to pollen tube growth and disease resistance to Botrytis cinerea.