Targeting BRD9 for Cancer Treatment: A New Strategy

• Main Authors: Zhu X, Liao Y, Tang L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2020-12-01
• Series: OncoTargets and Therapy
• Subjects: brd9; ncbaf; bromodomain; cancer; inhibitor.
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/targeting-brd9-for-cancer-treatment-a-new-strategy-peer-reviewed-article-OTT

Xiuzuo Zhu,1 Yi Liao,2 Liling Tang1 1Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Thoracic Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yi Liao Tel [phone]Email [e-mail] Tang Tel [phone]Email [e-mail]: Bromodomain-containing protein 9 (BRD9) is a newly identified subunit of the non-canonical barrier-to-autointegration factor (ncBAF) complex and a member of the bromodomain family IV. Studies have confirmed that BRD9 plays an oncogenic role in multiple cancer types, by regulating tumor cell growth. The tumor biological functions of BRD9 are mainly due to epigenetic modification mediated by its bromodomain. The bromodomain recruits the ncBAF complex to the promoter to regulate gene transcription. This review summarizes the potential mechanisms of action of BRD9 in carcinogenesis and the emerging strategies for targeting BRD9 for cancer therapeutics. Although the therapeutic potential of BRD9 has been exploited to some extent, research on the detailed biological mechanisms of BRD9 is still in its infancy. Therefore, targeting BRD9 to study its biological roles will be an attractive tool for cancer diagnosis and treatment, but it remains a great challenge.Keywords: BRD9, ncBAF, bromodomain, cancer, inhibitor