dim-2 — Neurospora crassa

Summary

NCU02247, designated dim-2 on Neurospora crassa chromosome 7, encodes a DNA (cytosine-5-)-methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1.37) that also possesses chromatin-binding and DNA-binding activity, placing it in the C5-methyltransferase and BAH domain families. The gene is associated with methylation, hypermethylation of CpG islands, and demethylation, as well as chromatin silencing and modeling. It has been linked to sexual reproduction, ascus development, conidia formation, circadian rhythm, response to heat, DNA replication, replication fork arrest, double-strand break repair, DNA damage response, and chromosome division. The encoded product localises to the nucleus. Related genes in other species, including Fusarium oxysporum and Verticillium dahliae, are linked to similar epigenetic regulatory processes.