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. The gene discussed is PAX7; the disease is facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.