Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors as Potent Modulators of Cellular Contacts

Title: Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors as Potent Modulators of Cellular Contacts

Volume: 7 Issue: 6

Author(s): Mathieu Vinken, Papeleu Peggy, Rogiers Vera and Vanhaecke Tamara

Affiliation:

Keywords: histone deacetylase inhibitor, adherens junction, tight junction, gap junction, (hemi)desmosome, focal adhesion

Abstract: Histone deacetylase inhibitors are nowadays considered as promising anti-cancer drugs, as they interfere with several key steps of tumor development and progression, both in vitro and in vivo. Less attention has been paid to their impact on cell junctions. Nevertheless, cell junctions are gatekeepers in the management of tissue homeostasis, and their aberrant expression and functioning is observed in all aspects of cancer biology. The present review provides a state of the art of the current knowledge concerning the effects of histone deacetylase inhibitors on cell junctions. Besides an updated theoretical basis, we also exemplify its actual relevance in cancer therapy.

Cite this article as:

Vinken Mathieu, Peggy Papeleu, Vera Rogiers and Tamara Vanhaecke, Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors as Potent Modulators of Cellular Contacts, Current Drug Targets 2006; 7 (6) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138945006777435281