Function: 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 factors such as MEF2A, MEF2B and MEF2C. During muscle differentiation, it shuttles into the cytoplasm, allowing the expression of myocyte enhancer factors (By similarity). May be involved in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latency, possibly by repressing the viral BZLF1 gene. Similarity: Belongs to the histone deacetylase family. HD type 2 subfamily. Domain: The nuclear export sequence mediates the shuttling between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. PTM: May be phosphorylated by CaMK1. Phosphorylated by the PKC kinases PKN1 and PKN2, impairing nuclear import.