CHD1 (UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot entry O14646) functions as substrate recognition component of the transcription regulatory histone acetylation (HAT) complex SAGA. It is required for the recognition of H3K4me3 by the FACT and PAF complexes as well as the U2 snRNP complex and regulates both polymerase II and polymerase I transcription. CHD1 further negatively regulates DNA replication and is required for maintaining open chromatin and pluripotency in embryonic stem cells.