We previously demonstrated that the
histone deacetylase (
HDAC) inhibitor, 4b, which preferentially targets HDAC1 and HDAC3, ameliorates
Huntington's disease (HD)-related phenotypes in different HD model systems. In the current study, we investigated extensive behavioral and
biological effects of 4b in N171-82Q transgenic mice and further explored potential molecular mechanisms of 4b action. We found that 4b significantly prevented
body weight loss, improved several parameters of motor function and ameliorated Huntingtin (Htt)-elicited
cognitive decline in N171-82Q transgenic mice. Pathways analysis of microarray data from the mouse brain revealed gene networks involving post-translational modification, including
protein phosphorylation and ubiquitination pathways, associated with 4b
drug treatment. Using real-time qPCR analysis, we validated differential regulation of several genes in these pathways by 4b, including Ube2K, Ubqln, Ube2e3, Usp28 and Sumo2, as well as several other related genes. Additionally, 4b elicited increases in the expression of genes encoding components of the inhibitor of kappaB
kinase (IKK) complex. IKK activation has been linked to phosphorylation, acetylation and clearance of the Htt
protein by the
proteasome and the lysosome, and accordingly, we found elevated levels of phosphorylated endogenous wild-type (wt) Htt
protein at
serine 16 and
threonine 3, and increased AcK9/pS13/pS16 immunoreactivity in cortical samples from 4b-treated mice. We further show that
HDAC inhibitors prevent the formation of nuclear Htt aggregates in the brains of N171-82Q mice. Our findings suggest that one mechanism of 4b action is associated with the modulation of the
ubiquitin-proteasomal and autophagy pathways, which could affect accumulation, stability and/or clearance of important disease-related
proteins, such as Htt.