Involved in transcriptional activation and repression of select genes by chromatin remodeling (alteration of DNA-nucleosome topology). Component of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes that carry out key enzymatic activities, changing chromatin structure by altering DNA-histone contacts within a nucleosome in an ATP-dependent manner (By similarity). Probably regulates vulva development through the let-60/Ras pathway (PubMed:26739451). Involved in nuclear reassembly after mitosis and recruitment of nuclear envelope protein, mel-28, to the nuclear periphery in the early embryo and in the adult germline (PubMed:26739451). Involved in gonadogenesis (PubMed:26739451, PubMed:24402584). Component of the multiprotein chromatin-remodeling complexes SWI/SNF: SWI/SNF-A (BAF), SWI/SNF-B (PBAF) and related complexes (Probable). The canonical complex contains a catalytic subunit swsn-4, core subunits swsn-1 and swsn-5, and accessory subunits swsn-3, swsn-6, phf-10, dpff-1, swsn-9 and either ham-3/swsn-2.1 or swsn-2.2 (Probable). Localizes to mitotic chromosomes in the early embryo. Expression begins at the gastrulation stage (PubMed:23457234). Expressed broadly at L1 larval stage except in the intestine (PubMed:23457234). Expression decreases in the subsequent larval stages and is absent in adults (PubMed:23457234). Some knockouts exhibit maternal-effect embryonic or larval lethality (PubMed:24402584). Germ lines are smaller (PubMed:26739451). RNAi-mediated knockdown reduces brood size (PubMed:26739451). Simultaneous knockouts of ham-3 do not survive beyond the L2 larval stage (PubMed:24402584). Simultaneous RNAi-mediated knockdown of ham-3 at the L1 larval stage causes sterility, while at the L3 larval stage, causes embryonic lethality for the progeny (PubMed:26739451). The sterile animals resulting from simultaneous RNAi-mediated knockdown of ham-3 at the L1 larval stage develop smaller germ lines (PubMed:26739451). Simultaneous RNAi-mediated knockdown of ham-3 also results in vulva protrusion and ectopic expression of egl-17 in cells derived from the vulval precursor cells P5.p and P7.p (PubMed:26739451). Belongs to the SMARCD family.