Differential expression of HDAC and HAT genes in atrophying skeletal muscle

ABSTRACT Introduction : Histone deacetylase (HDAC) proteins, which counter the activity of histone acetyltransferases (HATs), are necessary for normal muscle atrophy in response to several pathophysiological conditions. Despite this, it remains unknown whether a common or unique transcriptional profile of HDAC and HAT genes exist during the progression of muscle atrophy. Methods : Muscles were harvested from cast immobilized, denervated, or nutrient deprived animals for quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction analysis of HDAC and HAT gene expression. Results : The mRNA levels of Hdac2, Hdac4, Hdac6, Sirt1, p300, Cbp , and Pcaf increased, and Hdac7 decreased in skeletal muscle in each experimental model of muscle atrophy. Hdac1 and Hdac3 were increased only in cast immobilized and denervated muscles. Conclusions : While specific HDACs and HATs are increased in multiple models of muscle atrophy, increased expression of class I HDACs was unique to muscle disuse, reinforcing that specific HDAC inhibitors may be more effective than pan‐HDAC inhibitors at countering muscle atrophy. Muscle Nerve 52 : 1098–1101, 2015