Histone deacetylase 8 Adenovirus (Ad-HDAC8)

In the intact cell, DNA closely associates with histones and other nuclear proteins to form chromatin. The remodeling of chromatin is a critical process in transcriptional regulation, and a major source of this remodeling is brought about by the acetylation of nucleosomal histones. Acetylation of lysine residues in the N-terminal tail domain of histone results in an allosteric change in the nucleosomal conformation and an increased accessibility of transcription factors to DNA. Conversely, the deacetylation of histones is associated with transcriptional silencing. Mammalian nuclear histone acetylases include GCN5, PCAF (p300/CBP-associated factor), HAT1, MOF, HBO, MOZ, MORF and TIP60.1.The protein encoded by this gene belongs to class I of the histone deacetylase/acuc/apha family. It has histone deacetylase activity and represses transcription when tethered to a promoter.