The proximal HEXIM1 promoter responds to different compounds that release free P-TEFb from the 7SK snRNP. The luciferase activity was measured for the Hex1(-104)Luc plasmid target after HeLa cells (A) or HEK293 cells (B) were incubated with the incubated compounds for 48 h. The following compounds activated the proximal HEXIM1 promoter: TSA, 30-fold; ST-80 and MS-275, 10-fold; SAHA and HMBA, 5-fold; BET gene bromodomain inhibitors JQ-1 and iBET, 2- to 3-fold; PKC agonist phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, 2-fold. Results for HeLa cells are presented in a logarithmic scale.