A natural product targets BRD4 to inhibit phase separation and gene transcription

Autor: Cong Wang, Huasong Lu, Xiangzhong Liu, Xiang Gao, Wenjing Tian, Haifeng Chen, Yuhua Xue, Qiang Zhou
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2022
Předmět:
Zdroj: iScience, Vol 25, Iss 1, Pp 103719- (2022)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2589-0042
DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103719
Popis: Summary: The BET-bromodomain protein BRD4 uses two bromodomains to target acetyl-histones and other domains to recruit P-TEFb and other transcription factors to stimulate transcription of proto-oncogenes and key cell identity genes. Recent studies show that its ability to form phase-separated condensates that cluster preferentially at the super-enhancer regions of target genes is key for BRD4 to exert its functions. Here, we describe the identification of a natural product called PCG from polygonum cuspidatum Sieb.et Zucc., a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, that directly binds to BRD4. This binding inhibits BRD4 phase separation, turns dynamic BRD4 nuclear condensates into static aggregates, and effectively shuts down transcription of BRD4-dependent genes. Thus, through PCG we have discovered a BET inhibitor that not only selectively targets BRD4 but also works by suppressing phase separation, a mechanism of action that is different from those of the other known BET inhibitors.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals