Protein / target

Protein deacetylase HDAC6

HDAC6Q9UBN7Homo sapiensSwiss-Prot
Clinically validated
Therapeutic maturity
8
Approved medicines
30
Clinical trials
Small-molecule tractable
Druggability
Approved Drug

Protein at a glance

Biological role

Polyubiquitin modification-dependent protein binding

Primary system

Nervous system

Strongest disease association

X-linked dominant chondrodysplasia, Chassaing-Lacombe type

Genetic evidence · score 0.72

Therapeutic maturity

Clinically validated target

8 approved medicines against this target

Druggability

Small molecule

Open Targets tractability · Approved Drug

Clinical development

8 approved · 6 in clinical development

30 linked trials

Derived from structured UniProt, Open Targets and literature data on this page.

Protein profile

UniProt 2026_02

Canonical identity and biological annotation from UniProt.

Function

Deacetylates a wide range of non-histone substrates (PubMed:12024216, PubMed:18606987, PubMed:20308065, PubMed:24882211, PubMed:26246421, PubMed:30538141, PubMed:31857589, PubMed:30770470, PubMed:38534334, PubMed:39567688). Plays a central role in microtubule-dependent cell motility by mediating deacetylation of tubulin (PubMed:12024216, PubMed:20308065, PubMed:26246421). Required for cilia disassembly via deacetylation of alpha-tubulin (PubMed:17604723, PubMed:26246421). Alpha-tubulin deacetylation results in destabilization of dynamic microtubules (By similarity). Promotes deacetylation of CTTN, leading to actin polymerization, promotion of autophagosome-lysosome fusion and completion of autophagy (PubMed:30538141). Deacetylates SQSTM1 (PubMed:31857589). Deacetylates peroxiredoxins PRDX1 and PRDX2, decreasing their reducing activity (PubMed:18606987). Deacetylates antiviral protein RIGI in the presence of viral mRNAs which is required for viral RNA detection by RIGI (By similarity). Sequentially deacetylates and polyubiquitinates DNA mismatch repair protein MSH2 which leads to MSH2 degradation, reducing cellular sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents and decreasing cellular DNA mismatch repair activities (PubMed:24882211). Deacetylates DNA mismatch repair protein MLH1 which prevents recruitment of the MutL alpha complex (formed by the MLH1-PMS2 heterodimer) to the MutS alpha complex (formed by the MSH2-MSH6 heterodimer), leading to tolerance of DNA damage (PubMed:30770470). Deacetylates RHOT1/MIRO1 which blocks mitochondrial transport and mediates axon growth inhibition (By similarity). Deacetylates transcription factor SP1 which leads to increased expression of ENG, positively regulating angiogenesis (PubMed:38534334). Deacetylates KHDRBS1/SAM68 which regulates alternative splicing by inhibiting the inclusion of CD44 alternate exons (PubMed:26080397). Deacetylates PRDM16 (By similarity). Acts as a valine sensor by binding to valine through the primate-specific SE14 repeat region (PubMed:39567688). In valine deprivation conditions, translocates from the cytoplasm to the nucleus where it deacetylates TET2 which promotes TET2-dependent DNA demethylation, leading to DNA damage (PubMed:39567688). Promotes odontoblast differentiation following IPO7-mediated nuclear import and subsequent repression of RUNX2 expression (By similarity). In addition to its protein deacetylase activity, plays a key role in the degradation of misfolded proteins: when misfolded proteins are too abundant to be degraded by the chaperone refolding system and the ubiquitin-proteasome, mediates the transport of misfolded proteins to a cytoplasmic juxtanuclear structure called aggresome (PubMed:17846173). Probably acts as an adapter that recognizes polyubiquitinated misfolded proteins and targets them to the aggresome, facilitating their clearance by autophagy (PubMed:17846173). Involved in the MTA1-mediated epigenetic regulation of ESR1 expression in breast cancer (PubMed:24413532)

Subcellular location

CytoplasmCytoplasm, cytoskeletonNucleusPerikaryonCell projection, dendriteCell projection, axonCell projection, ciliumCytoplasm, cytoskeleton, microtubule organizing center, centrosomeCytoplasm, cytoskeleton, cilium basal body
Domains and Gene Ontology detail (78)

Gene Ontology

  • Caggresome
  • Caxon
  • Caxon cytoplasm
  • Ccaveola
  • Ccell leading edge
  • Ccentrosome
  • Cciliary basal body
  • Ccytoplasm
  • Ccytoplasmic ubiquitin ligase complex
  • Ccytosol
  • Cdendrite
  • Chistone deacetylase complex

1215 aa · 131 kDa · 2 isoforms

Biological roles

Reactome v97

What this protein does, drawn together from its UniProt function, Gene Ontology terms and Reactome pathways.

Transcriptional regulationUniProt · GO · ReactomeImmune signallingUniProt · ReactomeProteolysisGOMetabolic enzyme activityGO
View supporting evidence

Transcriptional regulation

  • ·Deacetylates a wide range of non-histone substrates (PubMed:12024216, PubMed:18606987, P…
  • ·RNA polymerase II cis-regulatory region sequence-specific DNA binding
  • ·transcription corepressor binding
  • ·DNA-templated transcription

Immune signalling

  • ·Deacetylates a wide range of non-histone substrates (PubMed:12024216, PubMed:18606987, P…
  • ·Differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells to T helper 2 cells (Th2 cells)

Proteolysis

  • ·negative regulation of proteolysis

Metabolic enzyme activity

  • ·negative regulation of hydrogen peroxide metabolic process
View underlying pathways (12)

Concepts derived from UniProt GO Reactome — each badge above shows which sources supported that role.

Interaction neighbourhood

STRING v12.0

Proteins with the strongest functional or physical association. Node size and line weight reflect STRING confidence; hover or select a partner to inspect one association.

HSP90A…HSP90A…CTTNUBCVCPEP300HCLS1TARDBPSQSTM1RUNX2HDAC6

10 strongest partners — larger node and heavier line mean higher confidence

Functional and physical associations from STRING v12.0. Only associations with this protein are drawn — partner-to-partner links are not part of this evidence.

Drugs targeting this protein

1

Whether each drug engages this protein directly or through a complex, and how many other targets are recorded for it. Direct binders with few recorded targets are listed first.

vorinostat
ApprovedInhibitor

Histone deacetylase 6 inhibitor

Appears in clinical studies involving T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, primary cutaneous T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, primary cutaneous T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, neoplasm

Direct interaction with this protein · 1 of 4 recorded protein targets

ChEMBL mechanism, action type and target identity. Open Targets clinical status and indications.

Translational evidence

Open Targets 26

Why this target matters therapeutically — disease associations, drugs in development, tractability and safety, from Open Targets.

Strongest genetic associations

Human genetic evidence — the most direct causal link between this target and a disease.

X-linked dominant chondrodysplasia, Chassaing-Lacombe type0.72

Genetic · overall 0.59

Highest-confidence therapeutic associations

Diseases where a drug acting on this target has already reached clinical development.

primary cutaneous T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma0.92

Clinical · overall 0.57

plasma cell myeloma0.92

Clinical · overall 0.57

neoplasm0.89

Clinical · overall 0.57

Duchenne muscular dystrophy0.85

Clinical · overall 0.52

T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma0.85

Clinical · overall 0.52

Highest overall evidence

Remaining associations by Open Targets' aggregated evidence score.

peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified0.52

Clinical

mature T-cell and NK-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma0.50

Clinical

breast cancer0.39

Literature

neurodegenerative disease0.39

Pathway

Show all associations
X-linked dominant chondrodysplasia, Chassaing-Lacombe type0.59
plasma cell myeloma0.57
primary cutaneous T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma0.57
neoplasm0.57
Duchenne muscular dystrophy0.52
T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma0.52
peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified0.52
mature T-cell and NK-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma0.50
breast cancer0.39
neurodegenerative disease0.39

Open Targets ranks 719 associations for this target and we store the top 10 by aggregated score. The long tail is largely literature co-mention and RNA-expression evidence, not evidence that this target drives those diseases.

Known drugs · 14 total

CUDC-101Phase 1

breast cancer · gastric cancer · liver cancer

PANOBINOSTATApproval

plasma cell myeloma · neoplasm · type 2 diabetes mellitus

BELINOSTATApproval

T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma · peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified · neoplasm

RICOLINOSTATPhase 2

plasma cell myeloma · mantle cell lymphoma · non-Hodgkin lymphoma

TACEDINALINEPhase 3

non-small cell lung carcinoma · exocrine pancreatic carcinoma

GIVINOSTAT HYDROCHLORIDEApproval

Duchenne muscular dystrophy · Duchenne muscular dystrophy · acquired polycythemia vera

ROMIDEPSINApproval

T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma · peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified · primary cutaneous T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma

ENTINOSTATApproval

neoplasm · breast cancer · colorectal cancer

PANOBINOSTAT LACTATEApproval

plasma cell myeloma

VORINOSTATApproval

T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma · primary cutaneous T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma · primary cutaneous T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Tractability

SM · Approved DrugSM · Structure with LigandSM · High-Quality LigandSM · Druggable FamilyPR · LiteraturePR · UniProt UbiquitinationPR · Database UbiquitinationPR · Half-life DataPR · Small Molecule BinderOC · Approved Drug

Safety liabilities

regulation of catalytic activity

Clinical trials

30

Trials of drugs that target this protein — reached indirectly through those drugs, so a trial listed here studies the drug, not the protein.

Show remaining trials (24)

TERMINATED · via vorinostat · NCT01483690

COMPLETED · via vorinostat · NCT03259503

ClinicalTrials.gov via the drug-target graph.

Forefront confidence

Synthesis

Our own weighting of the evidence behind each disease association. Human genetics and clinical evidence count for most; literature co-mention counts for little, because two entities sharing an abstract is not evidence that one drives the other.

X-linked dominant chondrodysplasia, Chassaing-Lacombe typeModerately supported
0.72
agreement 0.600.84
Genetic100%Genetic literaturedup

Open Targets aggregate 0.59 · 1 independent evidence family · 1 not counted as duplicate

neoplasmModerately supported
0.72
agreement 0.560.87
Clinical83%Literature17%

Open Targets aggregate 0.57 · 2 independent evidence families

plasma cell myelomaModerately supported
0.71
agreement 0.560.87
Clinical89%Literature11%

Open Targets aggregate 0.57 · 2 independent evidence families

primary cutaneous T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomaModerately supported
0.71
agreement 0.560.87
Clinical91%Literature9%

Open Targets aggregate 0.57 · 2 independent evidence families

Duchenne muscular dystrophyModerately supported
0.64
agreement 0.490.80
Clinical98%Literature2%

Open Targets aggregate 0.52 · 2 independent evidence families

The evidence agreement range shows how closely the independent evidence families agree — it is not a statistical confidence interval, and nothing here is fitted to outcome data. Derived from Open Targets evidence types under Forefront weighting; the underlying per-type scores are shown above so the calculation can be checked.

What's happening now

14

Recent activity around this target, drawn from one canonical event stream. Every item is reached through a drug that targets this protein, so each event is news about that drug rather than about the protein directly.

  1. New publication2024-05-01
    Ketogenic Diet Alters the Epigenetic and Immune Landscape of Prostate Cancer to Overcome Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapy.

    Cancer research · 2024 · 47 citations · Europe PMC · via vorinostat

  2. New publication2023-08-24
    Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid (SAHA) Is a Driver Molecule of Neuroplasticity: Implication for Neurological Diseases.

    Biomolecules · 2023 · 9 citations · Europe PMC · via vorinostat

  3. New publication2015-06-20
    Phase I study of the mTOR inhibitor ridaforolimus and the HDAC inhibitor vorinostat in advanced renal cell carcinoma and other solid tumors.

    Investigational new drugs · 2015 · 43 citations · Europe PMC · via vorinostat

  4. New publication2015-03-20
    Vorinostat in patients with advanced malignant pleural mesothelioma who have progressed on previous chemotherapy (VANTAGE-014): a phase 3, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

    The Lancet. Oncology · 2015 · 151 citations · Europe PMC · via vorinostat

  5. New publication2014-11-20
    A phase 1 study of vorinostat maintenance after autologous transplant in high-risk lymphoma.

    Leukemia & lymphoma · 2015 · 6 citations · Europe PMC · via vorinostat

  6. New publication2014-03-12
    A multicentre phase II study of vorinostat in patients with relapsed or refractory indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma.

    British journal of haematology · 2014 · 89 citations · Europe PMC · via vorinostat

  7. New publication2014-03-11
    HIV-1 expression within resting CD4+ T cells after multiple doses of vorinostat.

    The Journal of infectious diseases · 2014 · 203 citations · Europe PMC · via vorinostat

  8. New publication2014-01-25
    Phase II trial of vorinostat in advanced melanoma.

    Investigational new drugs · 2014 · 46 citations · Europe PMC · via vorinostat

  9. New publication2013-11-30
    Vorinostat plus tacrolimus and mycophenolate to prevent graft-versus-host disease after related-donor reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation: a phase 1/2 trial.

    The Lancet. Oncology · 2014 · 102 citations · Europe PMC · via vorinostat

  10. New publication2012-07-25
    Administration of vorinostat disrupts HIV-1 latency in patients on antiretroviral therapy.

    Nature · 2012 · 984 citations · Europe PMC · via vorinostat

  11. New publication2012-04-16
    Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of the oral histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat in Japanese patients with relapsed or refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

    The Journal of dermatology · 2012 · 17 citations · Europe PMC · via vorinostat

  12. New publication2012-01-11
    Evaluation of safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of vorinostat, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, in the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer in a phase I clinical trial.

    International journal of clinical oncology · 2013 · 28 citations · Europe PMC · via vorinostat

Objective event titles are shown unmodified; the event kind and significance line are derived from structured fields. Forefront AttentionEvent stream aggregating Europe PMC Regulatory filings ClinicalTrials.gov.