Histone Deacetylases (HDACs) and Associated Proteins

Histone Deacetylases (HDACs) are important enzymes for the transcriptional regulation of gene expression in eukaryotic cells. HDACs catalyze the removal of acetyl groups from lysines near the N termini of histones. Human HDACs have been implicated in a variety of human diseases such as cardiomyopathy, osteodystrophy, neurodegenerative disorders, aging and cancer.

Human histone Deacetylase 8 (HDAC8) is a member of the class I histone Deacetylases (HDACs). Expression of HDAC8 is restricted to cells showing smooth muscle differentiation in normal human tissue and is a novel marker of smooth muscle differentiation. Like other class I and II HDAC members, the activity of HDAC8 is sensitive to HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A.

Sirtuin 2, is a member of the class III histone deacetylases (HDACs) and has been implicated in many cellular processes that include histone deacetylation, gene silencing, chromosomal stability, and aging (3 - 4). The enzymatic activity of class III HDACs is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) dependent and insensitive to HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A