NURF interacts with chromatin by binding to modified histones or interacting with various transcription factors. NURF catalyzes nucleosome sliding in either direction on DNA without any apparent modifications to the histone octamer itself. NURF is essential for the expression of homeotic genes. The ISWI ATPase specifically recognizes intact N-terminal histone tails. In Drosophila, NURF interacts with the transcription factor GAGA to remodel chromatin at the hsp70 promoter, and null mutations in the Nurf301 subunit prevent larval metamorphosis. Other NURF mutants cause the development of melanotic tumors from larval blood cells. In humans, hNURF is involved in neuronal development and has been shown to enhance neurite outgrowth in vitro.