Recent advances in class IIa histone deacetylases research

Epigenetic control plays an important role in gene regulation through chemical modifications of DNA and post-translational modifications of histones. An essential post-translational modification is the histone acetylation/deacetylation-process which is regulated by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). The mammalian zinc dependent HDAC family is subdivided into three classes: class I (HDACs 1-3, 8), class II (IIa: HDACs 4, 5, 7, 9; IIb: HDACs 6, 10) and class IV (HDAC 11). In this review, recent studies on the biological role and regulation of class IIa HDACs as well as their contribution in neurodegenerative diseases, immune disorders and cancer will be presented. Furthermore, the development, synthesis, and future perspectives of selective class IIa inhibitors will be highlighted.     

Role of histone deacetylase 2 and its posttranslational modifications in cardiac hypertrophy

Cardiac hypertrophy is a form of global remodeling, although the initial step seems to be an adaptation to increased hemodynamic demands. The characteristics of cardiac hypertrophy include the functional reactivation of the arrested fetal gene program, where histone deacetylases (HDACs) are closely linked in the development of the process. To date, mammalian HDACs are divided into four classes: I, II, III, and IV. By structural similarities, class II HDACs are then subdivided into IIa and IIb. Among class I and II HDACs, HDAC2, 4, 5, and 9 have been reported to be involved in hypertrophic responses; HDAC4, 5, and 9 are negative regulators, whereas HDAC2 is a pro-hypertrophic mediator. The molecular function and regulation of class IIa HDACs depend largely on the phosphorylation-mediated cytosolic redistribution, whereas those of HDAC2 take place primarily in the nucleus. In response to stresses, posttranslational modification (PTM) processes, dynamic modifications after the translation of proteins, are involved in the regulation of the activities of those hypertrophy-related HDACs. In this article, we briefly review 1) the activation of HDAC2 in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and 2) the PTM of HDAC2 and its implications in the regulation of HDAC2 activity. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(3): 131-138]     

Histone deacetylase 8 safeguards the human ever-shorter telomeres 1B (hEST1B) protein from ubiquitin-mediated degradation

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes that regulate the functions of histones as well as nonhistones by catalyzing the removal of acetyl groups from lysine residues. HDACs regulate many biological processes, including the cell division cycle and tumorigenesis. Although recent studies have implicated HDAC8 in tumor cell proliferation, the molecular mechanisms linking HDAC8 to cell growth remain unknown. Here, we report that the human ortholog of the yeast ever-shorter telomeres 1B (EST1B) binds HDAC8. This interaction is regulated by protein kinase A-mediated HDAC8 phosphorylation and protects human EST1B (hEST1B) from ubiquitin-mediated degradation. Phosphorylated HDAC8 preferentially recruits Hsp70 to a complex that inhibits the CHIP (C-terminal heat shock protein interacting protein) E3 ligase-mediated degradation of hEST1B. Importantly, HDAC8 regulation of hEST1B protein stability modulates total telomerase enzymatic activity. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism by which HDAC8 contributes to tumorigenesis by regulating telomerase activity.     

A monoclonal antibody specific for prophase phosphorylation of histone deacetylase 1: a readout for early mitotic cells

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are modification enzymes that regulate a plethora of biological processes. HDAC1, a crucial epigenetic modifier, is deregulated in cancer and subjected to a variety of post-translational modifications. Here, we describe the generation of a new monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes a novel highly dynamic prophase phosphorylation of serine 406-HDAC1, providing a powerful tool for detecting early mitotic cells.     

TAp73 Protein Stability Is Controlled by Histone Deacetylase 1 via Regulation of Hsp90 Chaperone Function

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play important roles in fundamental cellular processes, and HDAC inhibitors are emerging as promising cancer therapeutics. p73, a member of the p53 family, plays a critical role in tumor suppression and neural development. Interestingly, p73 produces two classes of proteins with opposing functions: the full-length TAp73 and the N-terminally truncated ΔNp73. In the current study, we sought to characterize the potential regulation of p73 by HDACs and found that histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) is a key regulator of TAp73 protein stability. Specifically, we showed that HDAC1 inhibition by HDAC inhibitors or by siRNA shortened the half-life of TAp73 protein and subsequently decreased TAp73 expression under normal and DNA damage-induced conditions. Mechanistically, we found that HDAC1 knockdown resulted in hyperacetylation and inactivation of heat shock protein 90, which disrupted the interaction between heat shock protein 90 and TAp73 and thus promoted the proteasomal degradation of TAp73. Functionally, we found that down-regulation of TAp73 was required for the enhanced cell migration mediated by HDAC1 knockdown. Together, we uncover a novel regulation of TAp73 protein stability by HDAC1-heat shock protein 90 chaperone complex, and our data suggest that TAp73 is a critical downstream mediator of HDAC1-regulated cell migration.