EP3 — Oryza sativa Japonica

Summary

OsEP3 (OS05G0399700) on rice chromosome 5 encodes a chitinase with beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and chitinase activity (EC 3.2.1.14), belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase 19 family and containing chitin-binding domains. The enzyme is associated with chitin breakdown, cell wall macromolecule catabolism, polysaccharide breakdown, and amino sugar metabolism. It is also linked to wax metabolism, diterpenoid metabolism, and jasmonic acid/ethylene-dependent systemic resistance. The protein localizes to the apoplast, plant-type cell wall, vacuole, secretory vesicle, and extracellular space. OsEP3 is associated with numerous agronomic traits including 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 oxidative stress response. It is also linked to pathogen resistance, including against Magnaporthe oryzae, and nematode resistance. Related genes in other species are linked to pollen tube growth and disease resistance to Botrytis cinerea.