Plays fundamental roles in nuclear assembly, chromatin organization, gene expression and gonad development. May potently compress chromatin structure and be involved in membrane recruitment and chromatin decondensation during nuclear assembly. Functions are required in both M phase and interphase of the cell cycle. May interact with MAD1. Colocalizes with chromosomes during both interphase and mitosis. Death at the larval-pupal transition with small brains and missing imaginal disks. Specific abnormalities in interphase nuclear structure; clumping of chromatin and convolution of nuclear shape. Belongs to the BAF family.