Acts as a component of the histone deacetylase NuRD complex which participates in the remodeling of chromatin (PubMed:12124384, PubMed:16428440, PubMed:28977666). Acts as transcriptional repressor and plays a role in gene silencing (PubMed:10947852, PubMed:18644863). Does not bind to methylated DNA by itself (PubMed:12124384, PubMed:16428440). Binds to a lesser degree DNA containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides (PubMed:24307175). Recruits histone deacetylases and DNA methyltransferases.