Pontin and Reptin are two closely related members of the AAA+ family of DNA helicases. They have roles in diverse cellular processes, including the response to DNA double-strand breaks and the control of gene expression. The two proteins share residence in different multiprotein complexes, such as the Tip60, Ino80, SRCAP and Uri1 complexes in animals, which are involved (directly or indirectly) in transcriptional regulation, but they also function independently from each other. Both Reptin and Pontin repress certain transcriptional targets of Myc, but only Reptin is required for the repression of specific beta-catenin and nuclear factor-kappaB targets. Here, I review recent studies that have addressed the mechanisms of transcriptional control by Pontin and Reptin.