Histone deacetylases (HDACs) mediate histone deacetylation and act in concert 
with histone acetyltransferases to regulate dynamic and reversible histone 
acetylation which modifies chromatin structure and function, affects gene 
transcription, thus, controlling multiple cellular processes. HDACs are widely 
distributed in almost all eukaryotes, and there have been many researches 
focusing on plant HDACs recently. An increasing number of HDAC genes have been 
identified and characterized in a variety of plant species and the functions of 
certain HDACs have been studied. The present studies indicate that HDACs play a 
key role in regulating plant growth, development and stress responses. This 
paper reviews recent findings on HDACs and their functions in plants, especially 
their roles in development and stress responses.