Epigenetics is the study of heritable modifications in gene expression and reversible forms of gene regulation. Recent in-vitro works have indicated that epigenetics plays a significant role in many types of human cancers e.g. hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Diverse cellular functions are regulated by histone acetylation and deacetylation. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone acetylases (HATs) are enzymes involved in chromatin remodeling histone deacetylation and acetylation respectively. Aberrant protein acetylation, particularly histone deacetylation, has been reported in a broad range of human cancer types. Epigenetic modification by inhibiting HDAC activity is an emerging approach in cancer treatment. HDACIs play their apoptotic roles through multiple mechanisms such as extrinsic/cytoplasmic and intrinsic/mitochondrial molecular mechanisms. Here, we summarize the major classes of HDACs and epigenetic compounds, HDACIs, and also their molecular mechanisms in HCC including intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. An online search of different sources including PubMed, ISI, and Scopus was achieved to find suitable data on mechanisms and pathways of HDACs and HDACIs in HCC. The result demonstrated that the dysregulation of HDACs because of histone deacetylation induces HCC. The histone deacetylation can be reversed by HDACIs resulting in apoptosis induction. In conclusion, because histone deacetylation is a potentially reversible change, epigenetic histone modification represents new opportunities for cancer management by reactivation of gene silencing. The inhibition of HDACs by GDACIs can effectively induce apoptosis and suppress cancer cell proliferation. These compounds can engage both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways.
Keywords: Apoptosis; HDACIs; HDACS; Neoplasms; Pathway.