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Published on: August 6, 2020
Histone Deacetylases and Their Regulatory MicroRNAs in Hepatocarcinogenesis
Hyung Seok Kim1, Qingyu Shen1, Suk Woo Nam2
1Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. ; Functional RNomics Research Center, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract:
A growing body of evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications are promising potential mechanisms in cancer research. Among the molecules that mediate epigenetic mechanisms, histone deacetylases (HDACs) are critical regulators of gene expression that promote formation of heterochromatin by deacetylating histone and non-histone proteins. Aberrant regulation of HDACs contributes to malignant transformation and progression in a wide variety of human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), gastric cancer, lung cancer, and other cancers. Thus, the roles of HDACs have been extensively studied because of their potential as therapeutic targets. However, the underlying mechanism leading to deregulation of individual HDACs remains largely unknown. Some reports have suggested that functional microRNAs (miRNAs) modulate epigenetic effector molecules including HDACs. Here, we describe the oncogenic or tumor suppressive functions of HDAC families and their regulatory miRNAs governing HDAC expression in hepatocarcinogenesis.
Insights
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are key epigenetic regulators implicated in cancer. This study explores HDAC functions and their miRNA regulation in liver cancer development, highlighting therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics
- Cancer Biology
- Molecular Oncology
Background:
- Epigenetic modifications are crucial in cancer research.
- Histone deacetylases (HDACs) regulate gene expression and are implicated in various cancers.
- Deregulation of HDACs contributes to malignant transformation and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the oncogenic and tumor suppressive roles of HDAC families in hepatocarcinogenesis.
- To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of microRNAs (miRNAs) on HDAC expression in liver cancer.
- To explore the potential of HDACs as therapeutic targets in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on HDACs and miRNAs in cancer.
- Analysis of functional roles of HDAC families in hepatocarcinogenesis.
- Investigation of miRNA-mediated regulation of HDACs.
Main Results:
- HDACs play critical roles in regulating gene expression and chromatin structure.
- Aberrant HDAC expression is linked to the development and progression of multiple cancers, including HCC.
- Specific miRNAs have been identified as regulators of HDAC expression, influencing their oncogenic or tumor suppressive functions.
Conclusions:
- HDACs are significant epigenetic regulators with dual roles in cancer, acting as either oncogenes or tumor suppressors.
- miRNAs are key modulators of HDAC expression, impacting hepatocarcinogenesis.
- Understanding HDAC-miRNA interactions offers promising avenues for targeted cancer therapies.
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