Many faces of SMCHD1

Abstract

The chromatin scaffolding protein SMCHD1 (structural maintenance of chromosomes flexible hinge domain containing 1) was previously shown to have diverse roles in X-chromosome inactivation, imprinting and double-strand break repair, and mutations in SMCHD1 contribute to a type of muscular dystrophy. Now, development of the nose and eyes is added to its list of functions.