The role of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodelling complex in the response to DNA double strand breaks

DNA Repair (Amst). 2020 Sep:93:102919. doi: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2020.102919.

Abstract

Mammalian cells possess multiple closely related SWI/SNF chromatin remodelling complexes. These complexes have been implicated in the cellular response to DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). Evidence suggests that SWI/SNF complexes contribute to successful repair via both the homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining pathways. In addition, repressing transcription near DSBs is dependent on SWI/SNF activity. Understanding these roles is important because SWI/SNF complexes are frequently dysregulated in cancer, and DNA DSB repair defects have the potential to be therapeutically exploited. In this graphical review, we summarise what is known about SWI/SNF contribution to DNA DSB responses in mammalian cells and provide an overview of the SWI/SNF-encoding gene alteration spectrum in human cancers.

Keywords: BAF; BRG1; Cancer; Chromatin remodeling; DNA repair; Double strand breaks; SMARCA4; SWI/SNF.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly*
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism*
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded*
  • DNA End-Joining Repair*
  • DNA Helicases / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mammals / genetics
  • Mammals / metabolism
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Recombinational DNA Repair*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • BANF1 protein, human
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • DNA
  • SMARCA4 protein, human
  • DNA Helicases