GSE98489
Genome-wide analysis of the distribution of the testis-specific double bromodomain protein BRDT reveals distinct roles in pachytene spermatocyte and round spermatids
BRDT, a member of the BET family of double bromodomain-containing proteins, is expressed uniquely in the  testis from pachytene spermatocytes through round spermatids, and is essential for spermatogenesis in the  mouse. Although BRDT is known to bind to acetylated lysines in chromatin, it is not known where in the  genome BRDT binds or whether the sites vary during the complex stages of differentiation in which it is  expressed. Herein, we use ChIP-Seq to identify genome-wide BRDT binding sites in chromatin from mouse  male germ cells at two distinct stages of differentiation. We identified 5452 BRDT-bound genomic loci in  pachytene spermatocytes and 5618 BRDT-bound genomic loci in round spermatids. Roughly two thirds of  BRDT binding sites were located in genes and BRDT binding correlated with highly transcribed genes. BRDT  binding sites also overlapped with several histone modifications or variants that are associated with active  transcription. Motif analysis revealed that BRDT-bound regions are enriched for consensus sequences for the  MYB, RFX, ETS and ELF1 in pachytene spermatocytes, and JunD, c-Jun, CRE and RFX in round spermatids.  Taken together, our data suggest that BRDT regulates distinct downstream target genes and may have unique  functions in the meiotic and spermiogenic transcription programs. Overall design: ChIP-Seq experiments for four samples: BRDT and IgG in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids