This gene encodes a DNA-binding protein which has high specificity for scaffold or matrix attachment region DNA elements(S/MAR DNA). This protein is thought to be involved in attachingthe base of chromatin loops to the nuclear matrix but there isconflicting evidence as to whether this protein is a component of chromatin or a nuclear matrix protein. Scaffold attachment factorsare a specific subset of nuclear matrix proteins (NMP) that specifically bind to S/MAR. The encoded protein is thought to serveas a molecular base to assemble a 'transcriptosome complex' in thevicinity of actively transcribed genes. It is involved in theregulation of heat shock protein 27 transcription, can act as anestrogen receptor co-repressor and is a candidate for breast tumorigenesis. This gene is arranged head-to-head with a similar gene whose product has the same functions. Multiple transcriptvariants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.
Alias Symbols: HAP, HET, SAF-B, SAFB1, SAB-B1, SAF-B1