Histone acetylases and deacetylases in cell proliferation

Abstract

There are several enzymes, acetylases and deacetylases, that can regulate transcription by modifying the acetylation state of histones or other promoter-bound transcription factors. Some of these enzymes are present in multisubunit complexes. Recent efforts to understand the biological role of these enzymes reveals their involvement in cell-cycle regulation and differentiation. Furthermore, accumulating evidence suggests that deregulation of acetylase and deacetylase activity plays a causative role in the generation of cancer.