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Abstract

Transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) gives rise to all nuclear protein-coding and a large set of non-coding RNAs, and is strictly regulated and coordinated with RNA processing. Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family proteins including BRD2, BRD3, and BRD4 have been implicated in the regulation of Pol II transcription in mammalian cells. However, only recent technological advances have allowed the analysis of direct functions of individual BET proteins with high precision in cells. These studies shed new light on the molecular mechanisms of transcription control by BET proteins challenging previous longstanding views. The most studied BET protein, BRD4, emerges as a master regulator of transcription elongation with roles also in coupling nascent transcription with RNA processing. In contrast, BRD2 is globally required for the formation of transcriptional boundaries to restrict enhancer activity to nearby genes. Although these recent findings suggest non-redundant functions of BRD4 and BRD2 in Pol II transcription, more research is needed for further clarification. Little is known about the roles of BRD3. Here, we illuminate experimental work that has initially linked BET proteins to Pol II transcription in mammalian cells, outline main methodological breakthroughs that have strongly advanced the understanding of BET protein functions, and discuss emerging roles of individual BET proteins in transcription and transcription-coupled RNA processing. Finally, we propose an updated model for the function of BRD4 in transcription and co-transcriptional RNA maturation.