Histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity is commonly associated with transcriptional repression. However, there is also evidence for a function in transcriptional activation. Previous studies have demonstrated a fundamental role of deacetylase activity in IFNa-responsive gene transcription. In the case of type II IFN (IFNγ) results are controversial: some genes require HDAC activity, while transcription of others is repressed by HDAC. To investigate the effect of HDAC on transcription of an IFNγ-activated gene, real-time PCR was used to measure CXCL10 mRNA in Hela cells stimulated with IFNγ in the presence or absence of the HDAC inhibitor TSA. Chromatin imunoprecipitation combined with real-time PCR was used to check acetylation of histone H4 and recruitment of the STAT1 complex to the ISRE locus of the CXCL10 gene. Activation of CXCL10 transcription in response to IFNγ was paralleled by a decrease in histone H4 acetylation and an increase in recruitment of the STAT1 complex to the CXCL10 ISRE locus. The transcription of CXCL10 and histone H4 deacetylation were blocked by TSA, but the latter had no obvious affect on recruitment of the STAT1 complex. Our data indicate that IFNγ and STAT-dependent gene transcription requires the participation of HDAC, as does the IFNα-STAT pathway.

Keywords: Histone Deacetylation, Transcription, IFN, CXCL10