EP3 — Oryza sativa Japonica

Summary

OS05G0399400 (EP3, also known as Cht9) encodes a chitinase with beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity, belonging to the glycoside hydrolase family 19. The enzyme is associated with chitin binding and protein binding, and is localized to the apoplast, cell wall, vacuole, and secretory vesicles. This rice gene on chromosome 5 is linked to chitin and polysaccharide breakdown, cell wall macromolecule catabolism, amino sugar metabolism, and wax metabolism. It has been connected to the jasmonic acid/ethylene-dependent systemic resistance pathway. Agronomically, EP3 is associated with grain yield, grain weight, grain length and width, seed size and shape, plant height, brittle culm, cellulose content, chlorophyll content, seedling vigor, germination rate, heat tolerance, salt tolerance, and pathogen resistance. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to pollen tube growth and disease resistance to Botrytis cinerea.