Histone deacetylase 4, also known as HDAC4, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the HDAC4 gene.

Function 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.

Clinical significance 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.Protein for Sight, Scientific American, 300, 3 (March 2009), p. 23

Interactions

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.

See also Histone deacetylase

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