Histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes remove acetyl groups from acetyllysine-containing proteins, including nucleosomal histones to control gene expression. Beyond fundamental cell biology, HDAC activity is linked to various cancers, with many HDAC inhibitors developed as anticancer therapeutics. Among the 11 metal-dependent HDAC proteins, the four class IIa isoforms (HDAC4, 5, 7, and 9) are “pseudodeacetylases” without measurable enzymatic activity due to mutation of a catalytic tyrosine. Deacetylase-related activities of class IIa HDAC proteins are attributed to scaffolding functions, where recruitment of an active HDAC isoform leads to bound substrate deacetylation. Scaffolding of class IIa proteins beyond simple recruitment of an active HDAC is only starting to emerge. This review explores the various scaffolding roles of HDAC7, including recently reported acetylation-mediated reversible scaffolding, which is a form of acetyllysine-binding reader function. Studying the functional roles of HDAC7 will provide molecular insight into normal and pathological conditions, which could facilitate drug design.

Paper alert! We report the first inhibitors for nucleoside kinases NME1-4 and for the nucleotide-binding protein HINT1. On top, we provide probes for MBLAC2, an off-target of every second (!) hydroxamic acid-based HDAC inhibitor! https://t.co/uuRCO78xFz 👇🧵

Aging increases the risk of developing age-related diseases, which comes at great societal healthcar

Epigenetic therapies are known to synergize with immunotherapies through the de-repression of endogenous retroviral element (ERV)-encoded promoters. Here the authors identify treatment-induced neoanti...

Histone acetylation, governed by histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes, plays a pivotal role in cell biology. Elevated HDAC expression is linked to a poor prognosis in various diseases, including cancer, making HDAC inhibitors clinically valuable. Among the 11 metal-dependent HDAC isoforms, the exceptional ability of HDAC11 to regulate both the deacetylation and defattyacylation of proteins suggests an expansive role in cellular processes. However, since HDAC11 is one of the least studied HDAC isoforms, the known roles for HDAC11 in cell biology are limited. In this study, proteomics-based mutant trapping was performed to identify nonhistone substrates of HDAC11 and link HDAC11 activity to specific cellular events. Proteomics revealed 64 putative substrates, with follow-up studies documenting that HDAC11 deacetylates the BRAF kinase on K680 to suppress kinase activity and cell proliferation. Given the established role of BRAF in cancer, HDAC11-mediated deacetylation likely influences signaling pathways in tumor progression, underscoring the diverse regulatory role of HDAC11 in cellular events.

Hoffnung für Patienten: Forscher entdecken einen neuen Mechanismus, der die Entwicklung neuer Krebsmedikamente beschleunigen könnte.

Today, Avnos is introducing the Avnos HDAC™ Module, the company’s first standardized, factory-built product family.