PLANT GENE THAT REGULATES DNA METHYLATION

摘要

A novel gene, DDM1, and its encoded protein are provided. The gene was isolated from a region of Arabidopsis thaliana chromosome 5. DDM1 appears to be part of the SWI2/SNF2 family of chromatin-remodeling proteins. Disruption of the gene results in DNA hypomethylation, among other phenotypes. The DDM1 gene defines a novel member of the DNA methylation system. Methods of using DDM1, and transgenic organisms comprising DDM1, are also provided.