Anti-SMCHD1

Protein function: Non-canonical member of the structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) protein family that plays a key role in epigenetic silencing by regulating chromatin architecture. Promotes heterochromatin formation in both autosomes and chromosome X, probably by mediating the merge of chromatin compartments. Plays a key role in chromosome X inactivation in females by promoting the spreading of heterochromatin (PubMed:23542155). Recruited to inactivated chromosome X by Xist RNA and acts by mediating the merge of chromatin compartments: promotes random chromatin interactions that span the boundaries of existing structures, leading to create a compartment-less architecture typical of inactivated chromosome X. Required to facilitate Xist RNA spreading. Also required for silencing of a subset of clustered autosomal loci in somatic cells, such as the DUX4 locus (PubMed:23143600). Has ATPase activity, may participate in structural manipulation of chromatin in an ATP-dependent manner as part of its role in gene expression regulation (PubMed:29748383). Also plays a role in DNA repair: localizes to sites of DNA double-strand breaks in response to DNA damage to promote the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (PubMed:25294876, PubMed:24790221). Acts by promoting non- homologous end joining (NHEJ) and inhibiting homologous recombination (HR) repair (PubMed:25294876). [The UniProt Consortium]