The jumonji (JMJ) gene, obtained by a gene trap strategy, is essential for embryogenesis and is suggested to play important roles in cell growth during development. The amino acid sequence of the JMJ protein includes a nuclear localization signal and a DNA binding motif called the AT-rich interactive domain (ARID). Unlike the other members of the JARID family of proteins, JARID2 has a long N-terminal moiety devoid of characterized domains.
