Aberrant epigenetic regulation of bromodomain BRD4 in human colon cancer

J Mol Med (Berl). 2012 May;90(5):587-95. doi: 10.1007/s00109-011-0837-0. Epub 2011 Nov 27.

Abstract

The bromodomain protein BRD4 is involved in cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, primarily through its role in acetylated chromatin-dependent regulation of transcription at targeted loci. Here, we show that BRD4 is frequently downregulated by aberrant promoter hypermethylation in human colon cancer cell lines and primary tumors. Ectopic re-expression of BRD4 in these colon cancer cell lines markedly reduced in vivo tumor growth, suggesting a role of BRD4 in human colon cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / pathology
  • Colonic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • DNA Methylation / genetics
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Gene Silencing
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • BRD4 protein, human
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Histones
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transcription Factors