Required for normal embryo development (PubMed:15266054, PubMed:18684657). Necessary to acquire heat stress (HS) memory, by modulating nucleosome occupancy and regulating heat-induced gene expression. Associates globally with the nucleosome-poor regions flanking the transcription units of expressed genes. Binds to the promoter regions, primarily to the proximal promoter just upstream of the transcriptional start sites (TSS) and somewhat more weakly to the region downstream of the transcription termination site (TTS), of actively expressed genes (e.g. HSA32, HSP18.2 and HSP22.0) in a heat-dependent fashion (PubMed:27680998). Interacts with SWI/SNF and ISWI chromatin remodelers such as BRM, CHR11 and CHR17. Binds to histone H3. Abnormal embryo development leading to reduced cotyledons (PubMed:15266054, PubMed:18684657). Reduced maintenance of heat-induced (37 degrees Celsius) gene expression leading to reduced growth and survival in heat conditions (44 degrees Celsius). Abnormal nucleosome dynamics at loci with altered maintenance of heat-induced expression. The double mutant brm-1 fgt1-1 exhibits retarted seedling development resulting in reduced development and delayed leaf initiation, as well as delayed flowering time (PubMed:27680998). Belongs to the SBNO family.