SWI/SNF: a chromatin-remodelling complex with a role in carcinogenesis.
SWI/SNF is a chromatin-remodelling complex that makes DNA that has been compacted into nucleosomes accessible to transcription factors and repair enzymes. It does this by displacing DNA from the core histone surface. SWI/SNF consists of at least nine subunits, including one of two alternative ATPase subunits, BRM or BRG-1, that provide the energy for remodelling. As it regulates access to DNA it controls many aspects of normal cellular function. Limited studies have recently linked loss of function of SWI/SNF subunits to cancer development, suggesting that it may be a tumor suppressor complex. As epigenetic repression regulates SWI/SNF component expression at least in some cases, restoration of function is therapeutically promising for cancer treatment. Considerably more research is required into deregulation of SWI/SNF in cancer and determination of how this affects tumor development. This is an exciting but poorly understood molecule that may have a role in carcinogenesis.
Halliday
Gary M
GM
Discipline of Dermatology, Bosch Institute, Sydney Cancer Centre, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia. garyh@med.usyd.edu.au
Bock
Vanessa L
VL
Moloney
Fergal J
FJ
Lyons
J Guy
JG
D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D009707:Nucleosomes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D002843:Chromatin; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D009707:Nucleosomes; C445179:SWI-SNF-B chromatin-remodeling complex; D014157:Transcription Factors