Having observed that loss of SMCHD1 results in FSHD-like changes in PAX7 target gene expression, we next examined whether the down-regulation of cell cycle genes observed upon depletion of SMCHD1 in myoblasts might be an unappreciated defect in myoblasts from FSHD patients with SMCHD1 mutations. This evidence concerns the gene SMCHD1 and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.