Bromodomain testis-specific protein BRDT directs ΔNp63 function and super enhancer activity in a distinct subset of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas [RNA-seq]

Using an unbiased method, we found a testis-specific epigenetic reader protein BRDT to be expressed and functional active in a significant portion of ESCC patients. Mechanistically, BRDT co-localizes with ΔNp63, a defining transcription factor for squamous subtype, at selected super-enhancers to regulate ΔNp63-dependent transcription programs to promote cell migration. Pharmacologically depleting BRDT resembles the effects of knock-down of BRDT, thus providing a promising clinical approach for precision medicine in a subset of ESCC. We performed siRNA-mediated knock-down of BRDT in KYSE180 and TE6 cells as well as knock-down of p63 in KYSE150, KYSE180 and TE6 cells. The transfected cells were cultured for 48 hours and the RNA was isolated for library preparation using commercial kits.