Encodes a SU(VAR)3-9 homolog, a SET domain protein (Homology Subgroup V; Orthology Group 1). Known SET domain proteins are involved in epigenetic control of gene expression. There are 10 SUVH genes in Arabidopsis and members of this subfamily of the SET proteins have an additional conserved SRA domain. This protein is a putative histone methyltransferase (predicted to methylate H3K9/20) related to the the Drosophila Su(var)3-9 and mammalian G9a proteins.
Histone methyltransferase. Methylates 'Lys-9' of histone H3. H3 'Lys-9' methylation represents a specific tag for epigenetic transcriptional repression.