cancers Review Functional Roles of Bromodomain Proteins in Cancer Samuel P. Boyson 1,2, Cong Gao 3, Kathleen Quinn 2,3, Joseph Boyd 3, Hana Paculova 3 , Seth Frietze 3,4,* and Karen C. Glass 1,2,4,* 1 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Colchester, VT 05446, USA;
[email protected] 2 Department of Pharmacology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA;
[email protected] 3 Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA;
[email protected] (C.G.);
[email protected] (J.B.);
[email protected] (H.P.) 4 University of Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, VT 05405, USA * Correspondence:
[email protected] (S.F.);
[email protected] (K.C.G.) Simple Summary: This review provides an in depth analysis of the role of bromodomain-containing proteins in cancer development. As readers of acetylated lysine on nucleosomal histones, bromod- omain proteins are poised to activate gene expression, and often promote cancer progression. We examined changes in gene expression patterns that are observed in bromodomain-containing proteins and associated with specific cancer types. We also mapped the protein–protein interaction network for the human bromodomain-containing proteins, discuss the cellular roles of these epigenetic regu- lators as part of nine different functional groups, and identify bromodomain-specific mechanisms in cancer development. Lastly, we summarize emerging strategies to target bromodomain proteins in cancer therapy, including those that may be essential for overcoming resistance. Overall, this review provides a timely discussion of the different mechanisms of bromodomain-containing pro- Citation: Boyson, S.P.; Gao, C.; teins in cancer, and an updated assessment of their utility as a therapeutic target for a variety of Quinn, K.; Boyd, J.; Paculova, H.; cancer subtypes.