To prevent neurodegeneration: HDAC6 uses different strategies for different challenges

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive dysfunction and death of neurons in specific areas of the nervous system. Loss of neurons is often associated with multiple stresses such as abnormal aggregation of misfolded proteins, deficiency of protein degradation system, mitochondrial dysfunction and excessive oxidative products. HDAC6 has recently been suggested to be an integral factor that copes with these stresses. In this mini-review, we summarize our current understanding of how HDAC6 promotes inclusion formation, facilitates autophagic degradation of protein aggregates and dysfunctional mitochondria. Finally, the possibility for HDAC6 to be a potential preventional and therapeutical target of some neurodegenerative diseases is put forward.