Journal Article DKFZ-2026-01080

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png
Correction of the molecular phenotype of X-linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism reveals a non-canonical function of BRD4.

 ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;

2026
Springer Nature [London]

Nature Communications 17(1), 4062 () [10.1038/s41467-026-72319-6]
 GO

Abstract: Transcription and mRNA processing are tightly coupled regulatory layers on gene expression, and their perturbations underly human disorders. X-linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism (XDP) is a unique example of a human disease connecting aberrant mRNA processing and the basal transcription machinery. XDP is a rare, monogenic fatal neurodegenerative disorder, and a limited understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms hinders the development of effective therapies. In this study, we show that depletion of BRD4, a chromatin reader known for its role in transcriptional pausing, rescues the XDP molecular signature. Unexpectedly, this effect is independent of the canonical coactivator role of BRD4. We demonstrate that the XDP-SVA induces intronic premature cleavage and polyadenylation within the TAF1 locus, and that BRD4 depletion bypasses this premature termination checkpoint. These findings reveal new dimensions of BRD4 activity beyond transcription pause release and suggest modulation of mRNA processing as a therapeutic strategy for XDP.

Keyword(s): Transcription Factors: genetics (MeSH) ; Transcription Factors: metabolism (MeSH) ; Humans (MeSH) ; Nuclear Proteins: genetics (MeSH) ; Nuclear Proteins: metabolism (MeSH) ; Cell Cycle Proteins (MeSH) ; Genetic Diseases, X-Linked: genetics (MeSH) ; Genetic Diseases, X-Linked: metabolism (MeSH) ; Transcription Factor TFIID: genetics (MeSH) ; Transcription Factor TFIID: metabolism (MeSH) ; TATA-Binding Protein Associated Factors: genetics (MeSH) ; TATA-Binding Protein Associated Factors: metabolism (MeSH) ; Phenotype (MeSH) ; Dystonic Disorders: genetics (MeSH) ; Dystonic Disorders: metabolism (MeSH) ; Transcription, Genetic (MeSH) ; RNA, Messenger: metabolism (MeSH) ; RNA, Messenger: genetics (MeSH) ; Bromodomain Containing Proteins (MeSH) ; Histone Acetyltransferases (MeSH) ; Transcription Factors ; BRD4 protein, human ; Nuclear Proteins ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; Transcription Factor TFIID ; TATA-Binding Protein Associated Factors ; TATA-binding protein associated factor 250 kDa ; RNA, Messenger ; Bromodomain Containing Proteins ; Histone Acetyltransferases

Classification:

Note: #DKTKZFB26#

Contributing Institute(s):
  1. DKTK Koordinierungsstelle Freiburg (FR01)
  2. DKTK FR Med. Epigenetik (FR02)
Research Program(s):
  1. 899 - ohne Topic (POF4-899) (POF4-899)

Appears in the scientific report 2026
Database coverage:
Medline ; DOAJ ; Article Processing Charges ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Agriculture, Biology and Environmental Sciences ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; DOAJ Seal ; Essential Science Indicators ; Fees ; IF >= 15 ; JCR ; PubMed Central ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection ; Zoological Record
Click to display QR Code for this record

The record appears in these collections:
Document types > Articles > Journal Article
Public records
Publications database

 Record created 2026-05-07, last modified 2026-05-08


Rate this document:

Rate this document:
1
2
3
 
(Not yet reviewed)