Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Histona deacetilasa
Histone deacetylase (HIS-tone dee-uh-SEH-tih-lays)
An enzyme that
removes a small molecule called an acetyl group from
histones (proteins found in chromosomes). This changes the
way the histones bind to DNA and may affect its activity.
Histone deacetylase
inhibitors are being studied in the treatment of
cancer. Also called HDAC.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.