Final answer:
SMARCB1 encodes the INI1 protein, a tumor suppressor gene, that helps prevent uncontrolled cell growth. Mutations in SMARCB1 can lead to certain types of cancer, such as malignant rhabdoid tumors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The role of SMARCB1 (also known as INI1) in cancer development is that it encodes the INI1 protein, which is a tumor suppressor.
Tumor suppressor genes like SMARCB1 help prevent uncontrolled cell growth by regulating cell division and cell death. Loss of function mutations in SMARCB1 can lead to the development of certain types of cancer.
For example, mutations in SMARCB1 are implicated in the development of a rare childhood cancer called malignant rhabdoid tumors (MRTs).