Bromodomain-containing protein 3 (BRD3), also known as RING3L, belongs to the BET subclass of proteins, which are characterized by two N-terminal bromodomains and one ET (Extra Terminal) domain. BRDs associate with chromatin through their bromodomains that recognize acetylated histone lysine residues. Bromodomains function as æreaders' of these epigenetic histone marks and regulate chromatin structure and gene expression by linking associated proteins to the acetylated nucleosomal targets. The ET domain functions as a protein binding motif and exerts atypical serine-kinase activity. BRD3 binds and regulates GATA1 in an acetylation-dependent manner. Interestingly, tight interaction of BRD3 with GATA1 requires multiple acetylation modifications, and structural data showed that two adjacent acetylation sites in GATA1 interact with a single bromodomain. BRD3 protein expression is induced in activated lymphocytes. Altered expression levels of BRD3 have been observed in certain cancers.
