Figure 5.

A working model for the molecular functions of DRW1 in rice. DRW1 affects the H3K27me3 modifications through physical interaction with PcGs, including the PRC1 component OsLHP1 and the PRC2 components OsCLF and OsSWN. Similar to yeast CTF4, DRW1 functions in DNA replication by coupling the CMG helicase component (GINS) to DNA polymerase α (DNAP) during cell cycle progression. Lacking DRW1, the disruption of H3K27me3 represses two cell cycle inhibitors OsKRP5 and OsKRP1, which can help explain the delayed cell cycle S phase and severe dwarf phenotype of drw1 plants.