RDR6 — Arabidopsis thaliana

Summary

AT3G49500, also known as RDR6, SGS2 or SDE1 in Arabidopsis thaliana, encodes an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (EC 2.7.7.48) with RNA-binding and DNA-directed DNA polymerase activities. This enzyme is associated with RNA interference, post-transcriptional gene silencing, and antiviral defense. RDR6 is associated with resistance against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, viral disease response, and abiotic stress tolerance. It is linked to leaf and root development, anthocyanin accumulation, chlorophyll content, seed dormancy, fertility, and phloem transport. The protein localizes to the cytoplasm, nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and stress granules. Studies of related genes in other species link the RDR6 family to viroid and viral resistance, and to cucumber mosaic virus RNA accumulation.