Structural maintenance of chromosomes flexible hinge domain-containing protein 1

UniProtKB accession:  Q6P5D8

Grouped By:  Matching UniProtKB accession

UniProtKB description:  Non-canonical member of the structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) protein family that plays a key role in epigenetic silencing by regulating chromatin architecture (PubMed:26091879, PubMed:29887375). Promotes heterochromatin formation in both autosomes and chromosome X, probably by mediating the merge of chromatin compartments (PubMed:23754746, PubMed:23819640, PubMed:26391951, PubMed:28587678, PubMed:29887375). Plays a key role in chromosome X inactivation in females by promoting the spreading of heterochromatin (PubMed:18425126, PubMed:22841499, PubMed:26391951, PubMed:29887375). 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 (PubMed:29887375). Required to facilitate Xist RNA spreading (PubMed:29887375). Also required for silencing of a subset of clustered autosomal loci in somatic cells, such as the DUX4 locus (PubMed:23754746, PubMed:23819640, PubMed:28587678). 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:26391951, PubMed:27059856). 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 (By similarity). Acts by promoting non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and inhibiting homologous recombination (HR) repair (By similarity). Required during preimplantation development, probably acts by regulating chromatin architecture (PubMed:29900695).