Epigenetic and pharmacological control of pigmentation via the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex

Lineage-specific differentiation programs are activated by epigenetic changes in chromatin structure. Melanin-producing melanocytes maintain a gene expression program ensuring appropriate enzymatic conversion of metabolites into the pigment, melanin, and its transfer to surrounding cells. During neuroectodermal development, SMARCA4, the catalytic subunit of SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complexes, is essential for lineage specification. SMARCA4 is also required for development of multipotent neural crest precursors into melanoblasts, which differentiate into pigment-producing melanocytes. In addition to the catalytic domain, SMARCA4 and several SWI/SNF subunits contain bromodomains which are amenable to pharmacological inhibition. We investigated the effects of pharmacological inhibitors of SWI/SNF bromodomains on melanocyte differentiation. Strikingly, treatment of murine melanoblasts and human neonatal epidermal melanocytes with selected bromodomain inhibitors abrogated melanin synthesis and visible pigmentation. Using functional genomics, iBRD9, a small molecule selective for the bromodomain of BRD9, repressed pigmentation-specific gene expression. Depletion of BRD9 confirmed a requirement for expression of pigmentation genes in the differentiation program from melanoblasts into pigmented melanocytes and in melanoma cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that iBRD9 disrupts the occupancy of bromodomain containing 9 (BRD9) and the catalytic subunit SMARCA4. These data indicate that BRD9 promotes melanocyte differentiation and pigmentation whereas pharmacological inhibition of BRD9 is repressive. Samples include RNA from three independent samples of Melb-a cells that were treated with vehicle control (DMSO) or 10microMolar iBRD9 for 48 hours.