EP3 — Oryza sativa Japonica

Summary

OS03G0132900 (EP3, also known as Cht11) encodes a protein with chitinase activity, chitin binding, and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity, belonging to the glycoside hydrolase family 19. This rice gene on chromosome 3 is associated with chitin breakdown, cell wall macromolecule catabolic processes, and polysaccharide breakdown. It has been linked to wax metabolism, diterpenoid metabolism, and amino sugar metabolism, as well as jasmonic acid/ethylene-dependent systemic resistance. The encoded protein localizes to the apoplast, plant-type cell wall, vacuole, and secretory vesicle. EP3 is associated with multiple agronomic traits including grain yield, grain weight, grain length and width, seed size, plant height, brittle culm, cellulose content, chlorophyll content, heat tolerance, salt tolerance, seedling vigor, and germination rate. It has also been connected to pathogen resistance and nematode resistance.