Abstract

HISTONE DEACETYLASE (HDAC) INHIBITORS AS POTENTIAL DRUGS FOR NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS: AN UPDATE

*Anil Kumar and Puneet Rinwa

Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC Centre of Advanced Study, Panjab University, INDIA. PIN -160014.

ABSTRACT

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) enzymes has an important function in regulation of protein acetylation in histones essential for maintaining basic cellular activities such as transcription. Histone acetylation dysregulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cerebral ischemia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinsonism and Huntington’s disease. Progressive increase in the levels of histone acetylation by administering histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors is currently being utilized as a novel therapeutic strategy to treat various neurologic disorders. Histone deacetylase inhibitors increase histone acetylation and enhance memory and synaptic plasticity. HDAC inhibitors also play a dual role in degrading aggregated HTT in microtubules and in overcoming neurodegeneration associated with Huntingtin disease. Together, different other studies have also suggested that a wide range of HDAC inhibitors as the potential drug targets for therapeutic intervention in other brain disorders. The present review data advances our understanding of the potential applicability of HDAC inhibitors for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Keywords: Histone deacetylases, memory, neurodegenerative diseases, synaptic plasticity.