BRD4 belongs to the bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family of epigenetic reader proteins that bind acetylated histones and regulate gene expression. Pharmacological inhibition of BRD4 by BET inhibitors (BETi) has indicated antitumor activity against multiple cancer types. We define a new function for BRD4 that is distinct from its established role in transcriptional gene regulation. We show that BRD4 is essential for the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), and mediates the formation of oncogenic gene rearrangements by engaging the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway. Mechanistically, genome-wide DNA breaks are associated with enhanced acetylation of histone H4, leading to BRD4 recruitment, and stable establishment of the DNA repair complex. Loss of BRD4 function blocks the recruitment of multiple DNA repair proteins to the chromatin upon DNA damage, and thereby results in defective DNA repair. In support of this, we also show that in clinical tumor samples, BRD4 protein levels are negatively associated with outcome after prostate cancer (PCa) radiation therapy. Thus, in addition to regulating gene-expression, BRD4 is also a central player in the repair of DNA breaks, with significant implications for cancer therapy. SOURCE: Wei Yuan (wei.yuan@icr.ac.uk) -  Institute of Cancer Research

Pluto Bioinformatics

GSE103907: LNCaP treated with iBET