The let-418 gene encodes a homolog of Mi-2/CHD3, a component of the nucleosome remodeling and histone deacetylase (NURD) complex; LET-418 is similar to DNA helicases, homologous to human AIRE (OMIM:607358, mutated in autoimmune polyendocrinopathy syndrome), and paralogous to CHD-3; with MEP-1, LET-418 is required to repress germline-specific genes in somatic cells, and also negatively regulates RAS-dependent postembryonic vulval development (via the synMuvB pathway); LET-418 and CHD-3 are redundantly required for specification of secondary cell fates in vulval development; LET-418 is expressed in all interphase nuclei throughout development; LET-418 is bound by MEP-1, and also interacts with HDA-1 and PIE-1; these interactions probably reflect repression of LET-418 by PIE-1 in the germline.
Enables RNA polymerase II-specific DNA-binding transcription factor binding activity. Contributes to RNA polymerase II transcription regulatory region sequence-specific DNA binding activity. Involved in embryonic digestive tract morphogenesis; negative regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II; and negative regulation of vulval development. Part of RNA polymerase II transcription repressor complex. Expressed in several structures, including P3.p hermaphrodite; P4.p hermaphrodite; P8.p hermaphrodite; gonad; and somatic nervous system. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in gastrointestinal system cancer (multiple); lung adenocarcinoma; and lymphoma. Is an ortholog of human CHD3 (chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 3).