Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are a family of enzymes which are highly evolutionary conserved across all eukaryotes. HDACs modify histones by removing acetyl groups from the tail regions. Histone deacetylation is generally associated with reduced gene expression due to a more compact chromatin state less accessibility for transcription factors (TFs). HDACs are essential for many physiological processes including development and cellular homeostasis. They also play an important role in disease states, including neurodegenerative disorders, genetic diseases and cancers.

This peptide is the fluorogenic substrate for assaying histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity in a two-step enzymatic reaction. The assay consists of the initial lysine deacetylation by HDAC followed by the release of the fluorescent group by trypsin. Fluorescence can be detected upon fluorophore release.