ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes play an essential role in the regulation of nuclear processes such as transcription and DNA replication and repair. The SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex consists of more than 10 subunits and contains a single molecule of either BRM or BRG1 as the ATPase catalytic subunit. The activity of the ATPase subunit disrupts histone-DNA contacts and changes the accessibility of crucial regulatory elements to the chromatin. The additional core and accessory subunits play a scaffolding role to maintain stability and provide surfaces for interaction with various transcription factors and chromatin. The interactions between SWI/SNF subunits and transcription factors, such as nuclear receptors, p53, Rb, BRCA1, and MyoD, facilitate recruitment of the complex to target genes for regulation of gene activation, cell growth, cell cycle, and differentiation processes.
Asymmetric dimethyation of SMARCC1/BAF155 by CARM1 was found to be associated with genes upregulated by c-Myc and breast cancer progression. Furthermore, asymmetric dimethylated SMARCC1/BAF155 was found to be associated with chromatin independent of SWI/SNF ATPases Brg1 and BRM, suggesting a subcomplex capable of affecting chromatin state. Indeed, unmethylated SMARCC1/BAF155 seems to play a role in development as it more closely associates with Brg1 during development, which reduces pluripotency.