Histone deacetylase 1(HDAC1) is an important epigenetic controller involvedin transcriptional regulation throughmodification of chromatin
structure. Genetic and epigenetic changes and deregulation of signal transduction pathways have been implicated in the development
of breast cancer. Downregulation of estrogen receptor a (ERa) expression is one of the mechanisms behind the acquisition of
endocrine resistance. Sustained and increased hormone and growth factor receptor signaling in breast cancer cells contribute to resistance to endocrine therapy. Both HDACs and the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway are becoming promising targets in breast cancer, reversing also acquired hormone resistance. Here we show how mitogens, activating the PI3K/mTOR pathway, trigger the
phosphorylation of HDAC1 in breast cancer cells, which is completely dependent on the activity of the p70 S6 kinase (S6K1). Our findings
show that S6K1, overexpressed in many breast cancers, controls HDAC1-dependent transcriptional regulation of ERa levels upon
mitogenic stimuli, controlling HDAC1 recruitment to the ERa promoter. Furthermore, cell treatment with both mTOR and HDACs inhibitors
shows an additive effect in inhibiting breast cancer proliferation. This confirms the novel cross-talk between the HDAC1 and PI3K pathways with clinical implications towards the treatment of this malignant disease.