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SMARCB1 gene
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/smarcb1/

SMARCB1 gene

SWI/SNF related BAF chromatin remodeling complex subunit B1

Normal Function

The SMARCB1 gene provides instructions for making a protein that forms one piece (subunit) of several different protein groupings called 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. Through these processes, the SMARCB1 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 role of the SMARCB1 protein within the SWI/SNF complex is not fully understood.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Coffin-Siris syndrome

At least 11 variants (also known as mutations) in the SMARCB1 gene have been found to cause Coffin-Siris syndrome. This condition is characterized by delayed development, abnormalities of the fifth (pinky) fingers or toes, and characteristic facial features that are described as coarse. The SMARCB1 gene variants involved in Coffin-Siris syndrome are germline variants, which means that they are present in cells throughout the body. The variants change or remove single protein building blocks (amino acids) in the SMARCB1 protein. Although it is unclear how these changes affect SWI/SNF complexes, researchers suggest that SMARCB1 gene variants result in abnormal chromatin remodeling. Disturbance of this process alters the activity of many genes and disrupts several cell activities, which could explain the diverse signs and symptoms of Coffin-Siris syndrome. People with Coffin-Siris syndrome do not appear to have an increased risk of cancer (see below).

More About This Health Condition

Rhabdoid tumor predisposition syndrome

More than 50 germline variants in the SMARCB1 gene have been identified in people with rhabdoid tumor predisposition syndrome (RTPS). RTPS is characterized by a high risk of developing cancerous (malignant) growths called rhabdoid tumors. These tumors most often occur in the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) or in the kidney, but they can occur in other organs and tissues of the body. Some affected children also develop noncancerous (benign) tumors called schwannomas, which grow on nerves. Women with RTPS are at increased risk of developing a rare type of ovarian cancer called small cell cancer of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT).

In addition to the germline variant affecting one copy of the SMARCB1 gene in each cell, an additional genetic change that deletes the normal copy of the gene is needed for a tumor to develop. This additional change is present only in the cancerous cells. Such changes are known as somatic variants. In combination, the germline and somatic variants lead to the absence or dysfunction of SMARCB1 protein. This deficiency likely impairs the tumor suppressor functions of the proteins, but the specific mechanism that leads to rhabdoid tumors is unknown.

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Schwannomatosis

More than two dozen variants in the SMARCB1 gene have been found in people with schwannomatosis, a disorder characterized by multiple noncancerous (benign) tumors called schwannomas that grow on nerves. This type of tumor arises from Schwann cells, which are specialized cells that normally form an insulating layer around the nerve.

SMARCB1 gene variants associated with schwannomatosis lead to production of an altered SMARCB1 protein whose function is reduced but not eliminated. The altered protein is less able to control how cells grow and divide, which can allow tumors to develop. However, it is unknown why these variants are predominantly associated with schwannomas, instead of other tumor types, in people with schwannomatosis.

It appears that germline variants in SMARCB1 alone are not enough to trigger the development of schwannomas. Additional somatic variants that are acquired during a person's lifetime and are present only in certain cells may also be required for schwannomas to form.

Some people who have a variant in the SMARCB1 gene never develop tumors, which is a situation known as reduced penetrance.

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Other cancers

Somatic variants in both copies of the SMARCB1 gene, which result in the absence of SMARCB1 protein, cause noninherited (sporadic) rhabdoid tumors in children. As in RTPS (described above), the absence of SMARCB1 protein likely impairs the tumor suppressor functions of the proteins, but the specific mechanism that leads to rhabdoid tumors is unknown.

Other Names for This Gene

  • BAF47
  • BRG1-associated factor 47
  • INI1
  • integrase interactor 1 protein
  • SNF5
  • SNF5 homolog
  • SNF5_HUMAN
  • SNF5L1

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Eaton KW, Tooke LS, Wainwright LM, Judkins AR, Biegel JA. Spectrum of SMARCB1/INI1 mutations in familial and sporadic rhabdoid tumors. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2011 Jan;56(1):7-15. doi: 10.1002/pbc.22831. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Gigante L, Paganini I, Frontali M, Ciabattoni S, Sangiuolo FC, Papi L. Rhabdoid tumor predisposition syndrome caused by SMARCB1 constitutional deletion: prenatal detection of new case of recurrence in siblings due to gonadal mosaicism. Fam Cancer. 2016 Jan;15(1):123-6. doi: 10.1007/s10689-015-9836-6. Citation on PubMed
  • Hadfield KD, Newman WG, Bowers NL, Wallace A, Bolger C, Colley A, McCann E, Trump D, Prescott T, Evans DG. Molecular characterisation of SMARCB1 and NF2 in familial and sporadic schwannomatosis. J Med Genet. 2008 Jun;45(6):332-9. doi: 10.1136/jmg.2007.056499. Epub 2008 Feb 19. Erratum In: J Med Genet. 2008 Sep;45(9):608. Citation on PubMed
  • Hulsebos TJ, Kenter S, Verhagen WI, Baas F, Flucke U, Wesseling P. Premature termination of SMARCB1 translation may be followed by reinitiation in schwannomatosis-associated schwannomas, but results in absence of SMARCB1 expression in rhabdoid tumors. Acta Neuropathol. 2014 Sep;128(3):439-48. doi: 10.1007/s00401-014-1281-3. Epub 2014 Apr 17. Citation on PubMed
  • Hulsebos TJ, Plomp AS, Wolterman RA, Robanus-Maandag EC, Baas F, Wesseling P. Germline mutation of INI1/SMARCB1 in familial schwannomatosis. Am J Hum Genet. 2007 Apr;80(4):805-10. doi: 10.1086/513207. Epub 2007 Feb 16. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Kim KH, Roberts CW. Mechanisms by which SMARCB1 loss drives rhabdoid tumor growth. Cancer Genet. 2014 Sep;207(9):365-72. doi: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2014.04.004. Epub 2014 Apr 13. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Santen GW, Kriek M, van Attikum H. SWI/SNF complex in disorder: SWItching from malignancies to intellectual disability. Epigenetics. 2012 Nov;7(11):1219-24. doi: 10.4161/epi.22299. Epub 2012 Sep 25. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Sredni ST, Tomita T. Rhabdoid tumor predisposition syndrome. Pediatr Dev Pathol. 2015 Jan-Feb;18(1):49-58. doi: 10.2350/14-07-1531-MISC.1. Epub 2014 Dec 10. Citation on PubMed
  • Tsurusaki Y, Okamoto N, Ohashi H, Kosho T, Imai Y, Hibi-Ko Y, Kaname T, Naritomi K, Kawame H, Wakui K, Fukushima Y, Homma T, Kato M, Hiraki Y, Yamagata T, Yano S, Mizuno S, Sakazume S, Ishii T, Nagai T, Shiina M, Ogata K, Ohta T, Niikawa N, Miyatake S, Okada I, Mizuguchi T, Doi H, Saitsu H, Miyake N, Matsumoto N. Mutations affecting components of the SWI/SNF complex cause Coffin-Siris syndrome. Nat Genet. 2012 Mar 18;44(4):376-8. doi: 10.1038/ng.2219. Citation on PubMed
  • Wieczorek D, Bogershausen N, Beleggia F, Steiner-Haldenstatt S, Pohl E, Li Y, Milz E, Martin M, Thiele H, Altmuller J, Alanay Y, Kayserili H, Klein-Hitpass L, Bohringer S, Wollstein A, Albrecht B, Boduroglu K, Caliebe A, Chrzanowska K, Cogulu O, Cristofoli F, Czeschik JC, Devriendt K, Dotti MT, Elcioglu N, Gener B, Goecke TO, Krajewska-Walasek M, Guillen-Navarro E, Hayek J, Houge G, Kilic E, Simsek-Kiper PO, Lopez-Gonzalez V, Kuechler A, Lyonnet S, Mari F, Marozza A, Mathieu Dramard M, Mikat B, Morin G, Morice-Picard F, Ozkinay F, Rauch A, Renieri A, Tinschert S, Utine GE, Vilain C, Vivarelli R, Zweier C, Nurnberg P, Rahmann S, Vermeesch J, Ludecke HJ, Zeschnigk M, Wollnik B. A comprehensive molecular study on Coffin-Siris and Nicolaides-Baraitser syndromes identifies a broad molecular and clinical spectrum converging on altered chromatin remodeling. Hum Mol Genet. 2013 Dec 20;22(25):5121-35. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddt366. Epub 2013 Aug 1. Citation on PubMed

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