EP3 — Oryza sativa Japonica

Summary

OsEP3 (OS03G0418000) encodes a chitinase with beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity, belonging to the glycoside hydrolase family 19 and containing a chitin-binding domain. This rice gene on chromosome 3 is associated with chitin breakdown, cell wall macromolecule catabolism, polysaccharide degradation, and amino sugar metabolism. It has been linked to wax metabolism, diterpenoid metabolism, and the jasmonic acid/ethylene-dependent systemic resistance pathway. The protein localizes to the apoplast, cell wall, vacuole, and secretory vesicles. OsEP3 is associated with grain weight, grain length and width, grain yield, seed size, seedling vigor, plant height, chlorophyll content, heat tolerance, and salt tolerance. It is also associated with pathogen resistance and seed germination under salt stress.