Meta-Biol

• Pathways

HDAC6 is a microtubule-associated deacetylase that targets the K40 acetyl groups of alpha tubulin (Hubbert et al, 2002; Loktev et al, 2008; Zhang et al, 2008). HDAC6 also interacts with BBIP1, a component of the BBSome that is required for BBSome assembly, and additionally (and independently of its role in the BBSome) plays a role in microtubule polymerization and acetylation (Loktev et al, 2008). Depletion of BBIP1 causes a marked reduction in cytoplasmic microtubule acetylation, and this defect is partially overcome by inhibition of HDAC6. These data suggest that BBIP1 may exert its effect on microtubule acetylation by negatively regulating HDAC6, although other mechanisms are also possible (Loktev et al, 2008).