The in vivo functions of ATP-dependent chromatin-remodelling factors

ATP-dependent chromatin-remodelling factors regulate the accessibility of DNA to nuclear factors that are involved in cellular processes that depend on protein-DNA interactions. They probably accomplish this by using the energy of ATP hydrolysis to change the positions of nucleosomes on the DNA, or to change the structure of DNA within the nucleosomes. Although their mechanisms of action have been extensively studied in vitro, many questions remain about their functions in vivo.