EP3 — Zea mays

Summary

ZM00001EB340820 (ZmEP3) on maize chromosome 8 encodes a chitinase with chitinase activity (EC 3.2.1.14) and chitin binding, localised extracellularly. The gene is associated with chitin breakdown, amino sugar metabolism, cell wall macromolecule catabolic process, polysaccharide breakdown, and tissue remodelling. It is also associated with ear development, shoot regeneration, and sporulation, as well as with traits including grain yield, plant height, stem diameter, ear diameter, root length, lignin content, starch digestibility, glucose content, and insect damage. Related genes in other species encode acidic and basic endochitinases.