BRD9 Inhibition by Natural Polyphenols Targets DNA Damage/Repair and Apoptosis in Human Colon Cancer Cells.

Epigenetic mechanisms play an important role in the etiology of colorectal cancer (CRC) and other malignancies due, in part, to deregulated bromodomain (BRD) functions. Inhibitors of the bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family have entered into clinical trials as anticancer agents, and interest has grown in other acetyl 'reader' proteins as therapeutic targets, including non-BET member bromodomain-containing protein 9 (BRD9). We report here that overexpression of BRD9 is associated with poor prognosis in CRC patients, and that siRNA-mediated knockdown of BRD9 decreased cell viability and activated apoptosis in human colon cancer cells, coincident with increased DNA damage.