Plasticity of gene expression in the nervous system by exposure to environmental odorants that inhibit HDACs.

Volatile compounds are ubiquitous and are produced by most organisms. We report that some volatile compounds emitted from microbes and present in food, can alter epigenetic states in neurons and other eukaryotic cells. These volatile organic compounds act as inhibitors of HDACs and over time periods of hours and days cause dramatic modulation of gene expression even from a physically separated emission source. Given their HDAC-inhibitory properties the VOCs also act as therapeutics in preventing proliferation of neuroblastoma cells and degeneration of neurons in a Huntington's disease model.