Figure 7.

Valproate, an inhibitor of deacetylases, activates gene transcription and induces apoptosis. Reciprocal reactions, acetylation and deacetylation are catalyzed by histone acetyltransferase (HAT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC). Acetylation of chromatin leads to deconsendation and activates transcription of a subset of genes. Valproate induces hyperacetylation, activates BLV expression and triggers apoptosis in cell culture. Valproate treatment of sheep with leukemia/lymphoma reduces the number of tumor cells.