Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play critical roles in epigenetic modification. These enzymes can remove acetyl groups from the N-terminal lysine residues of histones, thereby regulating gene expression. Because of their great relevance to various diseases, numerous HDAC inhibitors have been developed. In this context, assays for HDAC activity are prerequisite. Due to the advantages of small-molecule fluorescent probes, researchers have developed many probes to detect HDAC activity for developing HDAC inhibitors. Based on the mechanism of action, two main types of small-molecule fluorescent probes are known. One type is based on binding affinity that are generally HDAC inhibitor-fluorophore conjugates. The other one is enzyme-activated probes, which act as HDAC substrates and show fluorogenic or ratiometric response after being deacetylated by HDACs.
Keywords: HDAC; enzymatic activity; fluorescence imaging; fluorescent probe; inhibitor.
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