Bromodomain testis-specific protein (BRDT), bromodomain 2 (BRDT-BD2)

Bromodomain testis-specific protein (BRDT) is a member of the Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal (BET) family, primarily expressed in the testes where it acts as an epigenetic reader (UniProt P57682). It contains two tandem bromodomains, BD1 and BD2, which recognize and bind to acetylated lysine residues on histone tails, facilitating chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation essential for spermatogenesis (Matzuk et al., Cell 2012). BRDT-BD2 specifically plays a crucial role in the reorganization of chromatin during the transition from histones to protamines in developing sperm cells. Due to its restricted expression and essential role in male fertility, BRDT-BD2 is a primary target for the development of non-hormonal male contraceptives. Small molecule inhibitors that selectively target the BD2 domain aim to disrupt sperm production without affecting other BET proteins or systemic hormonal balance (Faivre et al., Nature 2020). Additionally, BRDT is often aberrantly expressed in various cancers as a cancer/testis antigen, making it a potential target for epigenetic-based oncology therapies (Scanlan et al., Cancer Immunity 2004).

Other names

Bromodomain testis-specific proteinCancer/testis antigen 9CT9BRD6Bromodomain-containing protein 6

Competitive inhibition of the binding of bromodomains to acetylated lysine residues on histone tails, thereby disrupting the recruitment of transcriptional machinery.