CHD4 — Chromodomain Helicase DNA Binding Protein 4 is a core component of the NuRD (Nucleosome Remodeling Deacetylase) complex, a key epigenetic regulator involved in transcriptional repression, chromatin remodeling, and DNA damage response. CHD4 plays important roles in neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, and has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. [@nitarska2018]
Introduction
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title: CHD4 Gene
CHD4 (Chromodomain Helicase DNA Binding Protein 4)
Overview
Mermaid diagram (expand to render)
CHD4 — Chromodomain Helicase DNA Binding Protein 4 is a core component of the NuRD (Nucleosome Remodeling Deacetylase) complex, a key epigenetic regulator involved in transcriptional repression, chromatin remodeling, and DNA damage response. CHD4 plays important roles in neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, and has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. [@nitarska2018]
Introduction
CHD4 encodes the chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 4, also known as Mi-2 beta. This protein is a ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler that utilizes the energy of ATP hydrolysis to slide, evict, or restructure nucleosomes. As part of the NuRD complex, CHD4 coordinates both histone deacetylase (HDAC1/2) and ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling activities, making it a central regulator of gene expression programs in [neurons](/entities/neurons). [@zhang2020]
<div class="infobox infobox-gene">
| Property | Value | |----------|-------| | Gene Symbol | CHD4 | | Full Name | Chromodomain Helicase DNA Binding Protein 4 | | Chromosomal Location | 12p12.3 | | NCBI Gene ID | 2298 | | OMIM ID | 605602 | | Ensembl ID | ENSG00000124177 | | UniProt ID | Q14839 | | Encoded Protein | Chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 4 (Mi-2 beta) | | Associated Diseases | Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, intellectual disability, cancer |
</div>
Function
CHD4 encodes a member of the chromodomain helicase family (CHD) that functions as an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler. Key normal physiological functions include:
Transcriptional repression - As part of NuRD complex, recruits HDAC1/2 to silence gene expression
Chromatin remodeling - Uses ATP hydrolysis to slide nucleosomes and regulate DNA accessibility
DNA damage response - Facilitates DNA repair by modulating chromatin structure
Histone modification - Coordinated deacetylation of histones (H3, H4) through [HDAC](/entities/hdac-enzymes) interaction
Cell cycle regulation - Controls G1/S transition through repression of proliferation genes
Development - Essential for embryonic development and cell fate decisions
The NuRD Complex
CHD4 is the catalytic core of the NuRD complex, which includes:
CHD4/Mi-2 beta (ATP-dependent remodeler)
HDAC1 and HDAC2 (histone deacetylases)
MTA1/2/3 (metastasis-associated proteins)
RBBP4/7 (retinoblastoma-binding proteins)
MBD1/2/3 (methyl-CpG binding proteins)
Disease Associations
Alzheimer's Disease (AD)
CHD4 has been implicated in [Alzheimer's disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease) pathogenesis:
[Tau](/proteins/tau) pathology - CHD4 regulates genes involved in tau phosphorylation and aggregation
Amyloid response - NuRD complex modulates [APP](/entities/app-protein) expression and processing
Developmental: Expressed throughout development, highest in embryonic brain
The Allen Brain Atlas shows high CHD4 expression in:
Cortical pyramidal neurons (layers 2-6)
Hippocampal CA1-CA3 pyramidal neurons
Cerebellar Purkinje cells
Subventricular zone progenitors
Overview
CHD4 — Chromodomain Helicase DNA Binding Protein 4 is a core component of the NuRD complex involved in transcriptional repression and chromatin remodeling.