Chromatin modifications, especially histone-tail acetylation, have been implicated in memory formation. Increased histone-tail acetylation induced by inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACis) facilitates learning and memory in wildtype mice as well as in mouse models of neurodegeneration. Harnessing the therapeutic potential of HDACi requires knowledge of the specific HDAC family member(s) linked to cognitive enhancement. Here we show that neuron-specific overexpression of HDAC2, but not HDAC1, reduced dendritic spine density, synapse number, synaptic plasticity, and memory formation. Conversely, HDAC2 deficiency resulted in increased synapse number and memory facilitation, similar to chronic HDACi treatment in mice. Notably, reduced synapse number and learning impairment of HDAC2-overexpressing mice were ameliorated by chronic HDACi treatment. Correspondingly, HDACi treatment failed to further facilitate memory formation in HDAC2-deficient mice. Furthermore, analysis of promoter occupancy revealed association of HDAC2 with the promoters of genes implicated in synaptic plasticity and memory formation. Together, our results suggest that HDAC2 plays a role in modulating synaptic plasticity and long-lasting changes of neural circuits, which in turn negatively regulates learning and memory. These observations encourage the development and testing of HDAC2-selective inhibitors for human diseases associated with memory impairment.

The broad study of histone deacetylases in chemistry, biology and medicine relies on tool compounds to derive mechanistic insights. A phylogenetic analysis of Class I and II HDACs as targets of a comprehensive, structurally diverse panel of inhibitors revealed unexpected isoform selectivity even among compounds widely perceived as non-selective. The synthesis and study of a focused library of cinnamic hydroxamates allowed the identification of a first non-selective HDAC inhibitor. These data will guide a more informed use of HDAC inhibitors as chemical probes and therapeutic agents.