Abstract
Members of the ATP‐dependent family of chromatin remodeling enzymes play key roles in the regulation of transcription, development, DNA repair and cell cycle. Each of these enzymes are multi‐subunit assemblies that hydrolyze thousands of molecules of ATP in order to change nucleosome positions, disrupt DNA–histone interactions and perhaps destabilize chromatin folding. Here I review recent studies that suggest these potent machines can be ‘tamed’ by one of several mechanisms: targeting their activity to localized regions, blocking their chromatin binding activity or inhibiting their remodeling activity.