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Aberrant epigenetic regulation of bromodomain Brd4 in human colon cancer

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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.

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Acknowledgments

We thank OIB (FYCIT), M. Santirso, and C. Mark for editorial assistance. CH received support from FIS FI07/00380. AFF, RGU, RMU, and CM are supported by the IUOPA. This work was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Health (PI061267, PS09/02454), the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC 200820I172 to MFF), and the Community of Asturias (FICYT IB09-106). The IUOPA is supported by the Obra Social Cajastur, Spain.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

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Correspondence to M. F. Fraga.

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Rodriguez, R.M., Huidobro, C., Urdinguio, R.G. et al. Aberrant epigenetic regulation of bromodomain Brd4 in human colon cancer. J Mol Med 90, 587–595 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-011-0837-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-011-0837-0

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