Regulatory link between DNA methylation and active demethylation in <i>Arabidopsis</i>

Significance DNA methylation is critical for transposon silencing and gene regulation. DNA methylation levels are determined by the combined activities of DNA methyltransferases and demethylases. This study found a 39-bp DNA methylation monitoring sequence (MEMS) in the promoter of the DNA demethylase REPRESSOR OF SILENCING 1 ( ROS1 ) gene of Arabidopsis plants. DNA methylation of MEMS is responsive to both RNA-directed DNA methylation and ROS1-dependent active demethylation. Thus, MEMS can sense DNA methylation and demethylation activities, and it regulates genomic DNA methylation by adjusting ROS1 expression levels. Our results suggest that the ROS1 promoter, with the MEMS and an adjacent helitron transposon element, functions as a “methylstat” that senses and regulates genomic DNA methylation levels.