The SWI/SNF complex — chromatin and cancer

The SWI/SNF complex is an evolutionarily conserved multi-subunit chromatin-remodelling complex, which uses the energy of ATP hydrolysis to mobilize nucleosomes and remodel chromatin. Increasing evidence supports a role for this complex in cancer development, as several subunits possess intrinsic tumour-suppressor activity or are required for the activity of other tumour-suppressor genes. For example, conditional inactivation of the Snf5 gene resulted in a highly penetrant cancer phenotype in mice. So, what are the links between the SWI/SNF complex and cancer, and what mechanisms might facilitate its involvement in oncogenesis?