Involved in de novo DNA methylation. Controls asymmetric and CpNpG methylation. Required for FWA gene silencing but not for the maintenance of SUP gene silencing. Functionally redundant to CMT3 to maintain non-CpG methylation. Involved in RNA-directed DNA methylation. a 2'-deoxycytidine in DNA + S-adenosyl-L-methionine = a 5-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine in DNA + H(+) + S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine DRM2 is expressed at much higher levels than DRM1, which is scarcely detected, suggesting that DRM2 is the predominant de novo methylase. Belongs to the class I-like SAM-binding methyltransferase superfamily. DRM-methyltransferase family. Was originally thought to correspond to two different genes At5g15370 and At5g15380. Was originally thought to correspond to two different genes At5g15370 and At5g15380.