BG1 — Oryza sativa Japonica

Summary

OsBG1 (OS06G0131500) on rice chromosome 6 encodes a glucan endo-1,3-beta-D-glucosidase with lichenase activity, belonging to the glycoside hydrolase family 17. The enzyme also exhibits protein homodimerization activity. This gene is associated with diverse biological processes including 1,3-beta-glucan breakdown, cytokinin transport, regulation of photosynthesis, MAPK cascade signaling, stomatal movement, lateral root development, and biofilm formation. It localizes to the vacuole, extracellular space, plasma membrane, and cytoplasm. OsBG1 has been linked to numerous agronomically important traits including grain yield, grain weight, grain size, grain length, grain number, amylose content, protein content, sucrose content, seed size, plant height, panicle length, leaf length, brittle culm, transpiration rate, stomatal resistance, and salt tolerance. Related genes in other species encode beta-1,3-endoglucanase family members.