Responsible for the deacetylation of lysine residues on the N-terminal part of the core histones (H2A, H2B, H3 and H4). Histone deacetylation gives a tag for epigenetic repression and plays an important role in transcriptional regulation, cell cycle progression and developmental events. Histone deacetylases act via the formation of large multiprotein complexes.

Involved in muscle maturation by repressing transcription of myocyte enhancer MEF2C. During muscle differentiation, it shuttles into the cytoplasm, allowing the expression of myocyte enhancer factors. Involved in the MTA1-mediated epigenetic regulation of ESR1 expression in breast cancer.

Serves as a corepressor of RARA and causes its deacetylation (PubMed:28167758). In association with RARA, plays a role in the repression of microRNA-10a and thereby in the inflammatory response (PubMed:28167758)

Interacts with AHRR, BAHD1, BCOR, HDAC7, HDAC9, CTBP1, MEF2C, NCOR2, NRIP1, PHB2 and a 14-3-3 chaperone protein. Interacts with BCL6, DDIT3/CHOP, GRK5, KDM5B and MYOCD. Interacts with EP300 in the presence of TFAP2C.

Interacts with ANKRA2. Interacts with CUL7 (as part of the 3M complex); negatively regulated by ANKRA2. Interacts with ZBTB7B; the interaction allows the recruitment of HDAC4 on CD8 loci for deacetylation and possible inhibition of CD8 genes expression (By similarity).

Interacts with RARA (PubMed:28167758)

Ubiquitous

The nuclear export sequence mediates the shuttling between the nucleus and the cytoplasm