EIL1 — Oryza sativa Japonica

Summary

Rice EIL1 (Os03g0324300) encodes a protein containing an EIN3-like DNA-binding domain, with sequence-specific DNA binding, transcription coactivator activity, and chromatin binding functions. In rice, EIL1 is associated with ethylene signaling, auxin biosynthesis, root and shoot development, blast disease resistance, and regulation of defense responses to wounding and insects. It has been linked to appressorium formation, cell wall thickening, and iron transport regulation. The gene is associated with numerous agronomic traits including shoot elongation under submergence, crown root number, seed protein content, iron sensitivity, phosphorus response, plant male sterility, and photoperiod-sensitive flowering time. EIL1 localizes to the nucleus, cytoplasm, and chloroplast envelope, and is associated with SCF and Sin3-type complexes. Studies of related genes in other species further connect this gene family to iron efficiency, salt tolerance, and fungal pathogen resistance.