AUR3 — Oryza sativa Japonica

Summary

OsAUR3 (also known as OsGH3.2, OsFIN219, and VAS2) on rice chromosome 1 encodes a GH3 family protein with IAA amido synthetase and JA-amino synthetase activities, and adenylyltransferase activity. The gene is associated with defense responses, broad-spectrum disease resistance, drought tolerance, and mycorrhizal symbiosis in rice. It has been linked to crown root development, root hair formation, seed traits, and dwarf phenotypes. OsAUR3 is associated with cellular auxin homeostasis, jasmonic acid metabolism, camalexin anabolism, and regulation of hormone anabolism. The protein localizes to the cytosol, chloroplast envelope, vacuole, and plasmodesmata. Associations with grain yield, tiller angle, panicle number, photosynthetic ability, and photoperiod-sensitive flowering time have also been reported. Studies of related genes in other species link the GH3 family to auxin conjugation, pathogen defense, and light signaling.