RDR2 — Arabidopsis thaliana

Summary

AT4G11130 (RDR2, also known as SMD1) in Arabidopsis thaliana encodes an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) with RNA-directed RNA polymerase activity, DNA/RNA hybrid binding, chromatin binding, and ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler activity. The protein localises to the nucleus, nucleolus, and RNA Polymerase IV complex. RDR2 is associated with RNA-directed DNA methylation, small interfering RNA accumulation, siRNA transcription, transcription by RNA polymerase IV, heterochromatin organisation, and chromatin silencing. It is linked to susceptibility to root-knot nematode infection and giant cell formation. The gene is linked to traits including root branching, heterosis, self-incompatibility, cytokinin content, disease tolerance, root morphology, and salt tolerance. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to UV light sensitivity and plant height.