Rise of the Chromodomain Helicase DNA‐Binding (CHD) Chromatin Remodelling Machines

Abstract

Vital processes such as transcription, repair, replication and recombination continuously shape cellular chromatin landscape. The chromodomain helicase DNA‐binding (CHD) family of enzymes regulate chromatin dynamics by utilising energy from ATP hydrolysis to alter nucleosomal position, structure and composition, thereby modulating accessibility of the underlying DNA sequence. The CHD enzymes are highly conserved in evolution, and genetic studies in fungi, plants and animals demonstrate their critical roles in regulation of cellular identity and fate and organismal development. Advances in genomic studies over the past two decades led to the identification of frequent DNA copy‐number alterations, mutations and aberrant expression of CHDs in human malignancies and various disorders, highlighting their importance as relevant biomarkers or targets for therapeutic intervention. Key Concepts CHD family of enzymes (CHD1‐9) are evolutionary conserved ATP‐dependent chromatin remodelers that mobilise nucleosomes to regulate DNA‐templated processes, such as transcription, replication and repair. They are critical for normal organismal development and are frequently mutated in human disorders and cancers. Chromodomain helicase DNA‐binding proteins (CHD1‐9) are evolutionary conserved family of ATP‐dependent chromatin remodelers that mobilise nucleosomes to regulate DNA‐templated processes such as transcription, replication and DNA repair. CHD enzymes share a common domain structure: two N‐terminal chromodomains, a central ATPase/helicase domain, and a C‐terminal DNA‐binding domain. CHD proteins play crucial roles in diverse cellular processes, including embryonic development, stem cell maintenance and differentiation, and tissue‐specific gene expression. Dysregulation of CHD proteins has been associated with various human diseases, including cancer and neurodevelopmental disorders. CHD proteins are attractive targets for the development of new therapies for diseases associated with chromatin dysfunction. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the function of CHD proteins may pave the way for the development of new drugs that target these proteins and improve the treatment of a variety of human diseases.