HDAC4

Histones play a critical role in transcriptional regulation, cell cycle progression, and developmental events. Histone acetylation/deacetylation alters chromosome structure and affects transcription factor access to DNA. The protein encoded by this gene belongs to class II of the histone deacetylase/acuc/apha family. It possesses histone deacetylase activity and represses transcription when tethered to a promoter. This protein does not bind DNA directly but through transcription factors MEF2C and MEF2D. It seems to interact in a multiprotein complex with RbAp48 and HDAC3. Furthermore, HDAC4 is required for TGFbeta1-induced myofibroblastic differentiation.

Studies have shown that HDAC4 regulates bone and muscle development. Harvard University researchers also concluded that it promotes healthy vision: Reduced levels of the protein led to the death of the rod photoreceptors and bipolar cells in the retinas of mice.

HDAC4 has been shown to interact with:

• BCL6,
• BTG2,
• CBX5,
• GATA1,
• HDAC3,
• MAPK1,
• MAPK3,
• MEF2C,
• Myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2A,
• Nuclear receptor co-repressor 1,
• Nuclear receptor co-repressor 2,
• Testicular receptor 2,
• YWHAB,
• YWHAE, and
• Zinc finger and BTB domain-containing protein 16.