Brd4 recruits P-TEFb to chromosomes at late mitosis to promote G1 gene expression and cell cycle progression.
Brd4, a bromodomain protein capable of interacting with acetylated histones, is implicated in transmitting epigenetic memory through mitosis. It also functions as an associated factor and positive regulator of P-TEFb, a Cdk9-cyclin T1 heterodimer that stimulates transcriptional elongation by phosphorylating RNA polymerase II. In the present study, experiments were performed to determine whether these two functions of Brd4 are interrelated and, if so, how they may impact cell cycle progression. Our data demonstrate that while the P-TEFb level remains constant, the Brd4-P-TEFb interaction increases dramatically in cells progressing from late mitosis to early G(1). Concurrently, P-TEFb is recruited to chromosomes, beginning around mid- to late anaphase and before nuclear envelope/lamina formation and nuclear import of other general transcription factors. Importantly, the recruitment of P-TEFb depends on Brd4. Abrogation of this process through Brd4 knockdown reduces the binding of P-TEFb to and expression of key G(1) and growth-associated genes, leading to G(1) cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Because P-TEFb is synonymous with productive elongation, its recruitment by Brd4 to chromosomes at late mitosis may indicate those genes whose active transcription status must be preserved across cell division.
Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, 622 Barker Hall, Room 3202, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
Zhiyuan
Z
Yang
Nanhai
N
He
Qiang
Q
Zhou
D017209:Apoptosis; D002453:Cell Cycle; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D002460:Cell Line; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000378:metabolism*; D016193:G1 Phase / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D020868:Gene Silencing; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008938:Mitosis; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D042925:Positive Transcriptional Elongation Factor B / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D000092468:Bromodomain Containing Proteins
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D042925:Positive Transcriptional Elongation Factor B; D014157:Transcription Factors; C441289:BRD4 protein, human; D000092468:Bromodomain Containing Proteins