title: Histone acetyltransferases and deacetylases: molecular and clinical implications to gastrointestinal carcinogenesis.
abstract: Histone acetyltransferases and deacetylases are two groups of enzymes whose opposing activities govern the dynamic levels of reversible acetylation on specific lysine residues of histones and many other proteins. Gastrointestinal (GI) carcinogenesis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In addition to genetic and environmental factors, the role of epigenetic abnormalities such as aberrant histone acetylation has been recognized to be pivotal in regulating benign tumorigenesis and eventual malignant transformation. Here we provide an overview of histone acetylation, list the major groups of histone acetyltransferases and deacetylases, and cover in relatively more details the recent studies that suggest the links of these enzymes to GI carcinogenesis. As potential novel therapeutics for GI and other cancers, histone deacetylase inhibitors are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: The 2nd Afﬁliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical College, China.
authors.forename: Wei-Jian
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Ji-Hang
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Ming-Dong
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Jian-Yun
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Nie
authors.forename: Xiang-Jiao
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Zhi-Qiang
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: D001549:Benzamides / Q000494:pharmacology; D050882:CREB-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D059447:Cell Cycle Checkpoints / Q000502:physiology; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D019175:DNA Methylation; D047630:Depsipeptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism*; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006655:Histone Deacetylases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006877:Hydroxamic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000503:physiopathology; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D001549:Benzamides; D047630:Depsipeptides; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; D006877:Hydroxamic Acids; C087123:romidepsin; D050882:CREB-Binding Protein; C494363:CREBBP protein, human; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases; C108712:KAT6A protein, human; D006655:Histone Deacetylases