Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

CD Spectroscopy to Study DNA-Protein Interactions
06:48

CD Spectroscopy to Study DNA-Protein Interactions

Published on: February 10, 2022

SWI/SNF nucleosome remodellers and cancer

Boris G Wilson1, Charles W M Roberts

  • 1Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital Boston, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Nature Reviews. Cancer
|June 10, 2011
PubMed

Insights

SWI/SNF chromatin remodellers are crucial for tumour suppression. Mutations in these complexes drive cancer, but the exact mechanisms remain unclear, prompting a review of their roles and potential therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • SWI/SNF chromatin remodelling complexes utilize ATP hydrolysis to alter nucleosome structure and regulate gene transcription.
  • These complexes are increasingly recognized for their significant role in tumor suppression.
  • High-frequency inactivating mutations in SWI/SNF subunits are frequently observed across diverse cancer types.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which SWI/SNF mutations contribute to tumorigenesis.
  • To review the normal functions of SWI/SNF chromatin remodellers.
  • To explore potential therapeutic strategies for cancers with SWI/SNF mutations.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature.
  • Analysis of genetic mutation data in cancer.
  • Discussion of functional studies on SWI/SNF complexes.

Main Results:

  • SWI/SNF mutations are prevalent in various cancers, implicating them in tumorigenesis.
  • Understanding the normal functions of SWI/SNF complexes is key to deciphering their role in cancer.
  • The review synthesizes current knowledge on SWI/SNF's contribution to cancer formation.

Conclusions:

  • SWI/SNF mutations disrupt normal cellular processes, promoting cancer development.
  • Further research into SWI/SNF function is critical for therapeutic advancements.
  • Targeting SWI/SNF-mutant cancers presents a promising avenue for novel treatments.

More Related Videos

Examination of Proteins Bound to Nascent DNA in Mammalian Cells Using BrdU-ChIP-Slot-Western Technique09:14

Examination of Proteins Bound to Nascent DNA in Mammalian Cells Using BrdU-ChIP-Slot-Western Technique

Published on: January 14, 2016

An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues10:41

An Integrated Platform for Genome-wide Mapping of Chromatin States Using High-throughput ChIP-sequencing in Tumor Tissues

Published on: April 5, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Nucleosome Remodeling02:54

Nucleosome Remodeling

Nucleosomes are the basic units of chromatin compaction. Each nucleosome consists of the DNA bound tightly around a histone core, which makes the DNA inaccessible to DNA binding proteins such as DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase. Hence, the fundamental problem is to ensure access to DNA when appropriate, despite the compact and protective chromatin structure.
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
The Nucleolus02:55

The Nucleolus

The nucleolus is the most prominent substructure of the nucleus. When it was first discovered, it was considered to be an isolated organelle that forms fibrils and granules. In 1931, the relationship between the nucleolus and chromosomes was first described by Heitz. He observed that the appearance and size of nucleolus varies depending on the stage of the cell cycle. He also noticed constricted regions on different chromosomes clustered together at definite cell cycle stages. These regions,...
Histone Variants at the Centromere02:30

Histone Variants at the Centromere

Histone variants are the histone proteins with structural and sequence variations. These variants may be regarded as “mutant” forms that replace their canonical histone counterparts in the nucleosomes. Specific post-translational modifications on the histone variants enable further chromatin complexity and regulate tissue-specific gene expression. The most common histone variants are from histone H2A, H2B, and linker histone H1 families. However, several variants of histone H3 variants are also...
Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells01:32

Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells

Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...