BRD4 regulates Nanog expression in mouse embryonic stem cells and preimplantation embryos.

Abstract

Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is an important epigenetic reader implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of different cancers and other diseases. Brd4-null mouse embryos die shortly after implantation and are compromised in their ability to maintain the inner cell mass, which gives rise to embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Here we report that BRD4 regulates expression of the pluripotency factor Nanog in mouse ESCs and preimplantation embryos, as well as in human ESCs and embryonic cancer stem cells. Inhibition of BRD4 function using a chemical inhibitor, small interfering RNAs, or a dominant-negative approach suppresses Nanog expression, and abolishes the self-renewal ability of ESCs. We also find that BRD4 associates with BRG1 (brahma-related gene 1, aka Smarca4 (SWI/SNF-related, matrix-associated, actin-dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily a, member 4)), a key regulator of ESC self-renewal and pluripotency, in the Nanog regulatory regions to regulate Nanog expression. Our study identifies Nanog as a novel BRD4 target gene, providing new insights for the biological function of BRD4 in stem cells and mouse embryos. Knowledge gained from these non-cancerous systems will facilitate future investigations of how Brd4 dysfunction leads to cancers.

• Authors: W Liu, P Stein, X Cheng, W Yang, N-Y Shao, E E Morrisey, R M Schultz, J You
• Journal: Cell death and differentiation (Cell Death Differ) Vol. 21 Issue 12 Pg. 1950-60 (Dec 2014) ISSN: 1476-5403 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25146928 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)

Chemical References

• Brd4 protein, mouse
• Homeodomain Proteins
• Nanog Homeobox Protein
• Nanog protein, mouse
• Nuclear Proteins
• Transcription Factors
• Smarca4 protein, mouse
• DNA Helicases

Topics

• Animals
• Blastocyst (cytology, metabolism)
• Cell Differentiation
• DNA Helicases (metabolism)
• Embryonic Stem Cells (metabolism)
• Female
• Gene Expression
• Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
• HEK293 Cells
• Homeodomain Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
• Humans
• Male
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Nanog Homeobox Protein
• Nuclear Proteins (metabolism, physiology)
• Promoter Regions, Genetic
• Transcription Factors (metabolism, physiology)