SAHF play a critical role in reinforcing the senescent state by maintaining the permanent cell cycle arrest. They do this by sequestering and silencing pro-proliferative genes, thus preventing the re-entry of the cell into the cell cycle. This chromatin reorganization ensures the stability of the senescent phenotype and prevents the potential transformation of these cells into cancerous cells. SAHF also contribute to the secretion of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which affects the tissue microenvironment and can influence tumor suppression or progression.
