Question

Cancer can be defined as an abnormal proliferation of cells that defy the normal regulatory controls observed by normal cells. Recently, histone deacetylation therapies have been attempted in the treatment of certain cancers [reviewed by Delcuve et al. (2009)]. Specifically, the FDA has approved histone deacetylation (HDAC) inhibitors for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Why does histone acetylation might be associated with cancer?

Low acetylation rates often lead to increased cell proliferation, the major cause of tumor.

Normally, acetylation activates proto-oncogenes, which are responsible for the prevention of a cancerous state.

Overacetylation is often associated with increased gene activity, which could lead to a cancerous state if proto-oncogenes were activated.

Histone acetylation promotes normal cell proliferation and mitosis leading to high expression of genes coding for proto-oncogenes.

Answer 1

Over acetylation is often associated with increased gene activity, which could lead to a cancerous state if proto-oncogenes were activated.

Excess acetylation can give over expression of oncogene, thus causing increased in cell proliferation and therefore cause cancer. Thus, a histone acetylation makes genes available for transcription. So, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HEACi) is required to remove the acetyl groups from the lysine residues on the histones since HDACi can keep DNA in a loose and unaffected state.