Fig. 2

a Schematic representation of BRD4 function in DSB repair. H4Ac and γH2AX accumulate at DSBs triggering BRD4 recruitment. BRD4 facilitates and stabilizes the interaction of 53BP1 that in turn serves as adaptor for the assembly and activation of DNA repair machinery. b Effect of BETi on DNA repair system. BETi compete with acetylated residues for the binding at the BRD4 bromodomains releasing BRD4 from DSBs, destabilizing the DNA repair machinery and inducing accumulation of DNA alterations up to cell death. The function of BRD4 on DNA repair suggests a possible synergistic effect of BETi and DNA damaging agents (like radiation or platinum-based therapy) or specific inhibitors of DDR