Bromodomain-dependent stage-specific male genome programming by Brdt [Illumina BeadArray]

Male germ cell differentiation is a highly regulated multistep process initiated by the commitment of progenitor cells into meiosis and characterized by major chromatin reorganizations in haploid spermatids. We report here that a single member of the double bromodomain BET factors, Brdt, is a master regulator of both meiotic divisions and post-meiotic genome repackaging. Upon its activation at the onset of meiosis, Brdt drives and determines the developmental timing of a testis-specific gene expression program. In meiotic cells, Brdt initiates a genuine histone acetylation-guided programming of the genome by activating essential meiotic genes and repressing a progenitor cells gene expression program, while priming a post-meiotic gene group for further activation. At post-meiotic stages, a global chromatin hyperacetylation gives the signal for Brdts first bromodomain to direct the genome-wide replacement of histones by transition proteins. Brdt is therefore a unique and essential regulator of male germ cell differentiation, which, by using various domains in a developmentally controlled manner, first drives a specific spermatogenic gene expression program, and later controls the tight packaging of the male genome.

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Gaucher J, Boussouar F, Montellier E, Curtet S, Buchou T, Bertrand S, Hery P, Jounier S, Depaux A, Vitte AL, Guardiola P, Pernet K, Debernardi A, Lopez F, Holota H, Imbert J, Wolgemuth DJ, Gérard M, Rousseaux S, Khochbin S