BRD1

BRD1 Full Name

bromodomain containing 1

BRD1 Introduction

BRD1 (bromodomain-containing 1) is a chromatin reader protein that contains a bromodomain capable of recognizing acetylated histones, a PWWP domain that binds H3K36me3, and a C-terminal motif that mediates interaction with the MOZ/MORF HAT complex. The protein is therefore positioned to link recognition of active chromatin marks to histone acetyltransferase activity at specific loci. The BRD1 gene maps to chromosome 22q13.33 and is broadly expressed, with high levels in the brain, testes, and hematopoietic stem cells.

Figure 1. The structure of BRD1.

Linking Histone Recognition to MOZ/MORF Acetyltransferase Activity
BRD1 recruits the MOZ/MORF histone acetyltransferase complex to chromatin through its PWWP-mediated H3K36me3 binding and its bromodomain-mediated acetylation recognition, allowing the complex to deposit activating H3K23ac and H3K14ac marks at transcriptionally active loci. Through these actions, BRD1 sustains expression of HOX genes during development and maintains the identity of hematopoietic stem cells by supporting expression of stemness-associated transcription factors. BRD1 also contributes to the response to DNA damage, where its bromodomain-dependent recruitment to acetylated histones at double-strand breaks facilitates efficient repair.

Schizophrenia and Hematologic Malignancies
Genome-wide association studies have repeatedly linked BRD1 to schizophrenia risk, with reduced BRD1 expression observed in patient-derived neurons and lymphoblasts. Mouse models with Brd1 haploinsufficiency display deficits in hippocampal neurogenesis and in social behavior, consistent with a developmental contribution to psychiatric disease. In leukemia, BRD1 supports the expression of oncogenic programs downstream of the MOZ-CBP fusion, and bromodomain inhibition disrupts these programs, suggesting that BRD1 is a candidate target for precision therapy in MOZ-fusion leukemias.

Alternate Names for BRD1

BRD1; bromodomain containing 1; bromodomain-containing protein 1; BR140 like; BRL; BRPF2; BR140-like protein; bromodomain and PHD finger-containing protein 2; BRPF1; DKFZp686F0325;