BRD2
BRD2 (bromodomain containing 2, also known as RING3 and KIAA9001) is a BET family chromatin reader that binds acetylated histones and helps control gene expression. It links chromatin marks to transcription factors, coactivators and the RNA polymerase II machinery. Browse Assay Genie's current range of BRD2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
BRD2 is a chromatin reader that specifically recognises and binds histone H4 acetylated at Lys-5 and Lys-12 (H4K5ac and H4K12ac), thereby controlling gene expression and remodelling chromatin structure. It recruits transcription factors and coactivators to target gene sites and activates RNA polymerase II machinery for transcriptional elongation. NCBI describes the protein as associating with transcription complexes and with acetylated chromatin during mitosis, and as binding acetylated Lys-12 of histone H4 through its two bromodomains.
The BRD2 protein also contributes to genome compartmentalisation. It is recruited to chromatin by CTCF and, through its ability to bind acetylated histones, promotes the formation of topologically associating domains (TADs) in association with cohesin, contributing to CTCF boundary formation and enhancer insulation. Beyond histones, BRD2 recognises acetylated non-histone proteins such as STAT3. By binding STAT3 acetylated at Lys-87 and promoting its recruitment to chromatin, it takes part in the inflammatory response, regulating differentiation of naive CD4(+) T-cells into T-helper Th17 cells. It also binds histone lysines that carry both methyl and acetyl groups on the same side chain (N6-acetyl-N6-methyllysine, Kacme), an epigenetic mark of active chromatin linked to increased transcriptional initiation, and specifically binds H4K5acme and H4K12acme.
The BRD2 gene belongs to the BET (bromodomains and extra terminal domain) family and maps to the major histocompatibility complex class II region, although sequence comparison suggests the protein is not involved in the immune response. The gene has been implicated in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, and multiple alternatively spliced variants have been described. Previous names include RING3, D6S113E, NAT, FSHRG1 and BRD2 intronic transcript 1. Mouse and rat orthologs are both named Brd2.
BRD2 reads acetylated H4K5, H4K12 and acetyl-methyl lysine marks, making it a model for how bromodomains interpret active chromatin.
BRD2 recruits transcription factors and coactivators and activates RNA polymerase II machinery for elongation, so it is studied in gene expression control.
Through its association with CTCF and cohesin, BRD2 promotes TAD formation, boundary formation and enhancer insulation.
BRD2 binds acetylated STAT3 and regulates differentiation of naive CD4(+) T-cells into Th17 cells, linking it to inflammatory response.
BRD2 is a chromatin reader that binds histone H4 acetylated at Lys-5 and Lys-12. It recruits transcription factors and coactivators, activates RNA polymerase II machinery for elongation, and works with CTCF and cohesin to form topologically associating domains and insulate enhancers.
BRD2 is also known as RING3, KIAA9001, D6S113E, NAT and FSHRG1, and the gene has carried the name BRD2 intronic transcript 1. NCBI notes that multiple alternatively spliced variants have been described. The protein is formally named bromodomain-containing protein 2.
The BRD2 gene has been implicated in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, a common form of epilepsy that becomes apparent in adolescence. Orthologs exist in mouse and rat, both named Brd2. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other BET family members and bromodomain-containing proteins with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P25440; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.