EP3 — Oryza sativa Japonica

Summary

Os10g0542900, also known as EP3 or Cht8, encodes a chitinase (EC 3.2.1.14) with chitin-binding activity, belonging to the glycoside hydrolase family 19. This rice gene on chromosome 10 is associated with chitin breakdown, cell wall macromolecule catabolic processes, and polysaccharide degradation. It has been linked to wax metabolism, diterpenoid metabolism, and cellulose anabolism. The encoded protein is localized extracellularly. Genetically, EP3 is associated with multiple agronomically important traits including grain yield, grain weight, grain length and width, seed size and shape, seedling vigor, plant height, brittle culm, chlorophyll content, heat tolerance, germination rate, and oxidative stress response. Studies of related genes in other species have linked the family to bacterial leaf blight resistance.