Abstract

Chromatin structure dictates whether DNA templates are accessible to nuclear proteins; therefore, it is tightly regulated. To reconfigure chromatin, cells often mobilize 'chromatin-remodelling complexes' that use energy to disrupt histone–DNA contacts. BAF complexes, which are related to the yeast SWI–SNF complex, are the prototypical mammalian chromatin-remodelling complexes. In the past few years, studies have revealed the crucial and diverse roles of BAF complexes in the regulation of the immune system — from lymphocyte development to immune responses. This review surveys these advances, highlighting the general insights these studies provide into the modes of action of BAF complexes, and it concludes with a discussion of some of the key opportunities and challenges in this field.

Author affiliations

1. Section of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA.
   Email: tian.chi@yale.edu

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