HDAC8

HDAC8 (Histone Deacetylase 8) is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the HDAC8 gene. It is a member of the histone deacetylase family, which is involved in a variety of biological processes through its role in chromatin remodeling.

Function

HDAC8, like other histone deacetylases, functions to remove acetyl groups from histone proteins, which allows the histones to wrap the DNA more tightly. This is generally associated with repression of gene expression. HDAC8 specifically is known to deacetylate histone H4 at lysine 20 (H4K20), which is associated with DNA damage response.

Structure

The HDAC8 protein is composed of 377 amino acids and has a molecular weight of approximately 42 kDa. It contains a catalytic domain at its C-terminus and is the most structurally characterized HDAC.

Clinical significance

Mutations in the HDAC8 gene have been associated with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome, a rare developmental disorder. In addition, HDAC8 inhibitors are being investigated for use in cancer therapy, as overexpression of HDAC8 has been observed in several types of cancer.

See also

• Histone deacetylase
• Cornelia de Lange Syndrome
• Gene expression
• Chromatin remodeling

References

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