DNA helicase that possesses intrinsic ATP-dependent nucleosome-remodeling activity and is both required for DNA repair and heterochromatin organization. Promotes DNA end resection of double-strand breaks (DSBs) following DNA damage: probably acts by weakening histone DNA interactions in nucleosomes flanking DSBs, facilitating single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) production by the EXO1 and SGS1 machinery. Promotes gene silencing at heterochromatin by regulating the chromatin structure within or around silent loci. Also required for heterochromatin organization at centromeres. ATP + H2O = ADP + H(+) + phosphate Homodimer. Recruited to double-strand breaks (DSBs) sites of DNA damage. Impaired ability to repair double-strand breaks (DSBs). Present with 6800 molecules/cell in log phase SD medium. Belongs to the SNF2/RAD54 helicase family. Was initially reported to contain a CUE domain (PubMed:19956593). However, no CUE domain is predicted by prediction tools and the CUE-like region does not show no affinity for ubiquitinated histones (PubMed:20075079).