Maternally expressed imprinted gene SDC modulates circadian period and hypocotyl length

As a time-keeping system, circadian clock times numerous key processes to the appropriate time of day. The proper phasing of the plant circadian clock, which is mainly determined by circadian period, can provide the growth fitness for plants by facilitating the endogenous rhythms to match the external day–night cycle. Here we provide the comprehensive evidences that genomic 5-methylcytosine is critical for regulating circadian period. We found that chemical inhibition of DNA methyltransferases could significantly lengthen circadian period in the seedlings of Arabidopsis. Dysfunction of methyltransferases met1-3 and drm1 drm2 cmt3 cmt2 for both hypo-CG and hypo-non-CG texts can dramatically lengthen circadian period. To find the target genes of 5mC for modulating the circadian period, we conducted RNAseq experiments of Aza vs Mock at ZT1 h or ZT13 h time window and ddcc vs Col-0 at LL 24 h or LL36 time window. Each sample has two biological replicates. Overall design: To explore the different expressed circadian genes infected by 5mC. Aza vs Mock seedlings were collected at ZT1 h and ZT13 time window, ddcc vs Col-0 seedlings were collected at LL 24 h and LL36 time window, each sample has two biological repeats.