Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is a cytoplasmic enzyme
that regulates many important biological processes,
including cell migration, immune synapse formation,
viral infection, and the degradation of misfolded
proteins. HDAC6 deacetylates tubulin, Hsp90 and cortactin, and forms complexes with other partner proteins.
Although HDAC6 enzymatic activity seems to be
required for the regulation of cell morphology, the role
of HDAC6 in lymphocyte chemotaxis is independent of
its tubulin deacetylase activity. The diverse functions of
HDAC6 suggest that it is a potential therapeutic target
for the treatment of a range of diseases. This review
examines the biological actions of HDAC6, focusing on
its deacetylase activity and its potential scaffold functions in the regulation of cell migration and other key
biological processes in which the cytoskeleton plays an
important role.
