HDAC

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are a group of enzymes crucial for regulating gene expression by modifying the acetylation state of histones, the proteins around which DNA is wound. By removing acetyl groups from histones, HDACs condense DNA structure, limiting access to transcriptional machinery and thus repressing gene expression. HDACs are not only important for histone modification but also modulate the function of other non-histone proteins through deacetylation. Given their key role in gene regulation, HDACs are therapeutic targets in a range of diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders, and inflammatory diseases. HDAC inhibitors, which block HDAC activity, are used clinically to treat certain types of cancer by promoting apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.