EP3 — Oryza sativa Japonica

Summary

OsEP3 (OS04G0493400) on rice chromosome 4 encodes a protein with chitinase activity, chitin binding, and protein binding, belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase 19 family. The gene is associated with chitin breakdown, cell wall macromolecule catabolic processes, polysaccharide breakdown, and amino sugar metabolism. It is also linked to wax metabolism, diterpenoid metabolism, and jasmonic acid/ethylene-dependent systemic resistance. Localization evidence connects the product to the apoplast, plant-type cell wall, vacuole, secretory vesicle, and extracellular space. The gene is associated with several 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, germination rate, and pathogen resistance. Related genes in other species are linked to pollen tube growth and disease resistance to Botrytis cinerea.