ARID1A : AT-rich interaction domain 1A
Description
The ARID1A (AT-rich interaction domain 1A) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 1.
The ARID1A gene provides instructions for making a protein that forms one piece (subunit) of several different SWI/SNF protein complexes. SWI/SNF complexes regulate gene activity (expression) by a process known as chromatin remodeling. Chromatin is the network of DNA and protein that packages DNA into chromosomes. The structure of chromatin can be changed (remodeled) to alter how tightly DNA is packaged. Chromatin remodeling is one way gene expression is regulated during development; when DNA is tightly packed, gene expression is lower than when DNA is loosely packed.Through their ability to regulate gene activity, SWI/SNF complexes are involved in many processes, including repairing damaged DNA; copying (replicating) DNA; and controlling the growth, division, and maturation (differentiation) of cells. The ARID1A protein and other SWI/SNF subunits are thought to act as tumor suppressors, which keep cells from growing and dividing too rapidly or in an uncontrolled way.The ARID1A subunit is able to attach (bind) to DNA and is thought to help target SWI/SNF complexes to the chromatin location that needs to be remodeled.
The ARID1A protein is involved in regulating the activity of specific genes by altering the structure of chromatin, the complex of DNA and proteins that packages DNA into chromosomes. It is a component of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes, which use ATP to change the structure of chromatin by altering how DNA interacts with histones. This process is crucial for both activating and repressing gene expression. ARID1A is found in two important complexes: the npBAF complex, which is essential for the self-renewal and proliferation of neural stem cells, and the nBAF complex, which is involved in regulating genes needed for dendrite growth. During neural development, the npBAF complex is replaced by the nBAF complex as neural progenitors transition from a stem cell state to a neuron state, indicating that ARID1A plays a crucial role in this developmental process.
ARID1A is also known as B120, BAF250, BAF250a, BM029, C1orf4, CSS2, ELD, MRD14, OSA1, P270, SMARCF1, hELD, hOSA1.
