Effects of Histone Deacetylases (HDACs) in Programmed Cell Death: Execution Mechanism and Regulatory Pathways

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are zinc- or NAD + -dependent enzymes that play a key role in controlling diverse cellular processes by removing acetyl groups from the lysine residues of both histone and nonhistone proteins. In humans, there are 18 HDAC enzymes. Programmed cell death (PCD), which includes apoptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, necroptosis, and autophagic cell death, is usually characterized by unique morphological features and energy-dependent biochemical mechanisms involved in cellular renewal processes. In recent years, studies on HDACs and HDAC inhibitors have gradually increased because various classes of HDACs can regulate PCD through multiple signaling pathways. In this review, we focus on the specific pathways through which HDACs regulate PCD and thereby influence the development of various diseases.