EP3 — Oryza sativa Japonica

Summary

OsEP3 (OS05G0138200) encodes a chitinase with beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity, belonging to the glycoside hydrolase family 19 and containing a chitin-binding domain. The enzyme is associated with chitin breakdown, cell wall macromolecule catabolic processes, and polysaccharide degradation. It has been linked to wax metabolism, diterpenoid metabolism, and amino sugar metabolism, as well as to spore germination, biofilm formation, and nitrogen fixation. The protein localizes to the vacuole and extracellular space. Associations with agronomically important traits include grain size, grain width, grain length, grain weight, grain yield, seed size, seed shape, seedling vigor, plant height, brittle culm, cellulose content, chlorophyll content, heat tolerance, and oxidative stress response. Related genes in other species link the family to bacterial leaf blight resistance.