Histone H2B Monoubiquitylation Research Articles

The Rtf1/Prf1-dependent histone modification axis counteracts multi-drug resistance in fission yeast.

RNA polymerase II transcription elongation directs an intricate pattern of histone modifications. This pattern includes a regulatory cascade initiated by the elongation factor Rtf1, leading to monoubiquitylation of histone H2B, and subsequent methylation of histone H3 on lysine 4. Previous studies have defined the molecular basis for these regulatory relationships, but it remains unclear how they regulate gene expression. To address this question, we investigated a drug resistance phenotype that characterizes defects in this axis in the model eukaryote Schizosaccharomyces pombe (fission yeast). The mutations caused resistance to the ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor hydroxyurea (HU) that correlated with a reduced effect of HU on dNTP pools, reduced requirement for the S-phase checkpoint, and blunting of the transcriptional response to HU treatment. Mutations in the C-terminal repeat domain of the RNA polymerase II large subunit Rpb1 led to similar phenotypes. Moreover, all the HU-resistant mutants also exhibited resistance to several azole-class antifungal agents. Our results suggest a novel, shared gene regulatory function of the Rtf1-H2Bub1-H3K4me axis and the Rpb1 C-terminal repeat domain in controlling fungal drug tolerance.

KSHV RTA utilizes the host E3 ubiquitin ligase complex RNF20/40 to drive lytic reactivation.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a cancer-causing human herpesvirus that establishes a persistent infection in humans. The lytic viral cycle plays a crucial part in lifelong infection as it is involved in the viral dissemination. The master regulator of the KSHV lytic replication cycle is the viral replication and transcription activator (RTA) protein, which is necessary and sufficient to push the virus from latency into the lytic phase. Thus, the identification of host factors utilized by RTA for controlling the lytic cycle can help to find novel targets that could be used for the development of antiviral therapies against KSHV. Using a proteomics approach, we have identified a novel interaction between RTA and the cellular E3 ubiquitin ligase complex RNF20/40, which we have shown to be necessary for promoting RTA-induced KSHV lytic cycle.

Mechanistic insights into nucleosomal H2B monoubiquitylation mediated by yeast Bre1-Rad6 and its human homolog RNF20/RNF40-hRAD6A

Histone H2B monoubiquitylation plays essential roles in chromatin-based transcriptional processes. A RING-type E3 ligase (yeast Bre1 or human RNF20/RNF40) and an E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (yeast Rad6 or human hRAD6A), together, precisely deposit ubiquitin on H2B K123 in yeast or K120 in humans. Here, we developed a chemical trapping strategy and successfully captured the transient structures of Bre1- or RNF20/RNF40-mediated ubiquitin transfer from Rad6 or hRAD6A to nucleosomal H2B. Our structures show that Bre1 and RNF40 directly bind nucleosomal DNA, exhibiting a conserved E3/E2/nucleosome interaction pattern from yeast to humans for H2B monoubiquitylation. We also find an uncanonical non-hydrophobic contact in the Bre1 RING-Rad6 interface, which positions Rad6 directly above the target H2B lysine residue. Our study provides mechanistic insights into the site-specific monoubiquitylation of H2B, reveals a critical role of nucleosomal DNA in mediating E3 ligase recognition, and provides a framework for understanding the cancer-driving mutations of RNF20/RNF40.

H2Bub1 loss is an early contributor to clear cell ovarian cancer progression.

Epigenetic aberrations, including posttranslational modifications of core histones, are major contributors to cancer. Here, we define the status of histone H2B monoubiquitylation (H2Bub1) in clear cell ovarian carcinoma (CCOC), low-grade serous carcinoma, and endometrioid carcinomas. We report that clear cell carcinomas exhibited profound loss, with nearly all cases showing low or negative H2Bub1 expression. Moreover, we found that H2Bub1 loss occurred in endometriosis and atypical endometriosis, which are established precursors to CCOCs. To examine whether dysregulation of a specific E3 ligase contributes to the loss of H2Bub1, we explored expression of ring finger protein 40 (RNF40), ARID1A, and UBR7 in the same case cohort. Loss of RNF40 was significantly and profoundly correlated with loss of H2Bub1. Using genome-wide DNA methylation profiles of 230 patients with CCOC, we identified hypermethylation of RNF40 in CCOC as a likely mechanism underlying the loss of H2Bub1. Finally, we demonstrated that H2Bub1 depletion promoted cell proliferation and clonogenicity in an endometriosis cell line. Collectively, our results indicate that H2Bub1 plays a tumor-suppressive role in CCOCs and that its loss contributes to disease progression.

Opposing functions of the Hda1 complex and histone H2B mono-ubiquitylation in regulating cryptic transcription in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Maintenance of chromatin structure under the disruptive force of transcription requires cooperation among numerous regulatory factors. Histone post-translational modifications can regulate nucleosome stability and influence the disassembly and reassembly of nucleosomes during transcription elongation. The Paf1 transcription elongation complex, Paf1C, is required for several transcription-coupled histone modifications, including the mono-ubiquitylation of H2B. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, amino acid substitutions in the Rtf1 subunit of Paf1C greatly diminish H2B ubiquitylation and cause transcription to initiate at a cryptic promoter within the coding region of the FLO8 gene, an indicator of chromatin disruption. In a genetic screen to identify factors that functionally interact with Paf1C, we identified mutations in HDA3, a gene encoding a subunit of the Hda1C histone deacetylase (HDAC), as suppressors of an rtf1 mutation. Absence of Hda1C also suppresses the cryptic initiation phenotype of other mutants defective in H2B ubiquitylation. The genetic interactions between Hda1C and the H2B ubiquitylation pathway appear specific: loss of Hda1C does not suppress the cryptic initiation phenotypes of other chromatin mutants and absence of other HDACs does not suppress the absence of H2B ubiquitylation. Providing further support for an appropriate balance of histone acetylation in regulating cryptic initiation, absence of the Sas3 histone acetyltransferase elevates cryptic initiation in rtf1 mutants. Our data suggest that the H2B ubiquitylation pathway and Hda1C coordinately regulate chromatin structure during transcription elongation and point to a potential role for a HDAC in supporting chromatin accessibility.

New connections between ubiquitylation and methylation in the co-transcriptional histone modification network.

Co-transcriptional histone modifications are a ubiquitous feature of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription, with profound but incompletely understood effects on gene expression. Unlike the covalent marks found at promoters, which are thought to be instructive for transcriptional activation, these modifications occur in gene bodies as a result of transcription, which has made elucidation of their functions challenging. Here we review recent insights into the regulation and roles of two such modifications: monoubiquitylation of histone H2B at lysine 120 (H2Bub1) and methylation of histone H3 at lysine 36 (H3K36me). Both H2Bub1 and H3K36me are enriched in the coding regions of transcribed genes, with highly overlapping distributions, but they were thought to work largely independently. We highlight our recent demonstration that, as was previously shown for H3K36me, H2Bub1 signals to the histone deacetylase (HDAC) complex Rpd3S/Clr6-CII, and that Rpd3S/Clr6-CII and H2Bub1 function in the same pathway to repress aberrant antisense transcription initiating within gene coding regions. Moreover, both of these histone modification pathways are influenced by protein phosphorylation catalyzed by the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) that regulate RNAPII elongation, chiefly Cdk9. Therefore, H2Bub1 and H3K36me are more tightly linked than previously thought, sharing both upstream regulatory inputs and downstream effectors. Moreover, these newfound connections suggest extensive, bidirectional signaling between RNAPII elongation complexes and chromatin-modifying enzymes, which helps to determine transcriptional outputs and should be a focus for future investigation.

The histone H4 basic patch regulates SAGA-mediated H2B deubiquitination and histone acetylation

Histone H2B monoubiquitylation (H2Bub1) has central functions in multiple DNA-templated processes, including gene transcription, DNA repair, and replication. H2Bub1 also is required for the trans-histone regulation of H3K4 and H3K79 methylation. Although previous studies have elucidated the basic mechanisms that establish and remove H2Bub1, we have only an incomplete understanding of how H2Bub1 is regulated. We report here that the histone H4 basic patch regulates H2Bub1. Yeast cells with arginine-to-alanine mutations in the H4 basic patch (H42RA) exhibited a significant loss of global H2Bub1. H42RA mutant yeast strains also displayed chemotoxin sensitivities similar to, but less severe than, strains containing a complete loss of H2Bub1. We found that the H4 basic patch regulates H2Bub1 levels independently of interactions with chromatin remodelers and separately from its regulation of H3K79 methylation. To measure H2B ubiquitylation and deubiquitination kinetics in vivo, we used a rapid and reversible optogenetic tool, the light-inducible nuclear exporter, to control the subcellular location of the H2Bub1 E3 ligase, Bre1. The ability of Bre1 to ubiquitylate H2B was unaffected in the H42RA mutant. In contrast, H2Bub1 deubiquitination by SAGA-associated Ubp8, but not by Ubp10, increased in the H42RA mutant. Consistent with a function for the H4 basic patch in regulating SAGA deubiquitinase activity, we also detected increased SAGA-mediated histone acetylation in H4 basic patch mutants. Our findings uncover that the H4 basic patch has a regulatory function in SAGA-mediated histone modifications.

Abstract AP23: EARLY LOSS OF MONOUBIQUITYLATION OF HISTONE H2B ALTERS KEY IMMUNE SIGNALING PATHWAYS PROMOTING THE PROGRESSION OF HIGH-GRADE SEROUS OVARIAN CANCER

Abstract High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most common form of ovarian cancer, accounting for over 70% of all cases. HGSOC is frequently complicated by the inevitable development of therapeutic resistance, and thus remains an incurable disease. Recent insights supporting the fallopian tube epithelium (FTE) as the point of origin for HGSOC and the serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) as the precursor lesion for a majority of HGSOCs provide the necessary context to study the mechanisms that drive the development and progression of HGSOC. Understanding these key molecular processes is essential to inform the development of next generation therapies. In this study we investigated the role of the ubiquitin ligase RNF20 and histone H2B monoubiquitylation (H2Bub1) in serous tumorigenesis. H2Bub1, catalyzed largely by RNF20, is an epigenetic mark with tumor suppressor properties. The loss of RNF20/H2Bub1 has been linked with cancer progression. We used immunohistochemistry to characterize the expression of H2Bub1 in HGSOC and FTE precursors. We found that H2Bub1 is lost or downregulated in a large proportion of STICs and HGSOC tumors, implicating RNF20/H2Bub1 loss as an early event in serous tumorigenesis. Consistent with our findings, analysis of TCGA data shows that the majority of HGSOCs exhibit heterozygous loss of RNF20. Functionally, we demonstrate that shRNA-mediated knockdown of RNF20, with concomitant loss of H2Bub1, is sufficient to increase cell migration and clonogenic growth, both in 2D and 3D, of immortalized FTE cells. To understand the mechanisms underlying these effects, we performed ATAC-seq and RNA-seq in RNF20 knockdown cells. Interestingly, major changes were observed in a number of immune signaling pathways, providing early mechanistic insights for the observed oncogenic phenotypes. Using ELISA we confirmed the upregulation of IL6 and other cytokines in RNF20 knockdown cells. Additionally, we confirmed that the oncogenic phenotype, enhanced migration, is in part driven by the increased levels of IL6 in RNF20 and H2Bub1 knockdown cells which can be neutralized by using an anti-IL6 antibody. In summary, our study identifies that loss of H2Bub1 is an early epigenetic event in HGSOC that rewires certain immune signaling pathways and may represent unique therapeutic opportunities. Citation Format: Jagmohan Hooda, Marián Novak, Matthew P. Salomon, Emily MacDuffie, Melissa Song, Jenny Lester, Vinita Parkash, Beth Y. Karlan, Moshe Oren, Dave S. Hoon, and Ronny Drapkin. EARLY LOSS OF MONOUBIQUITYLATION OF HISTONE H2B ALTERS KEY IMMUNE SIGNALING PATHWAYS PROMOTING THE PROGRESSION OF HIGH-GRADE SEROUS OVARIAN CANCER [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 12th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium; Sep 13-15, 2018; Seattle, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2019;25(22 Suppl):Abstract nr AP23.

Histone H2B Ubiquitylation Regulates Histone Gene Expression by Suppressing Antisense Transcription in Fission Yeast.

Histone H2B monoubiquitylation (H2Bub1) is tightly linked to RNA polymeraseII transcription elongation, and is also directly implicated in DNA replication and repair. Loss of H2Bub1 is associated with defects in cell cycle progression, but how these are related to its various functions, and the underlying mechanisms involved, is not understood. Here we describe a role for H2Bub1 in the regulation of replication-dependent histone genes in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe H2Bub1 activates histone genes indirectly by suppressing antisense transcription of ams2+ -a gene encoding a GATA-type transcription factor that activates histone genes and is required for assembly of centromeric chromatin. Mutants lacking the ubiquitylation site in H2B or the H2B-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase Brl2 had elevated levels of ams2+ antisense transcripts and reduced Ams2 protein levels. These defects were reversed upon inhibition of Cdk9-an ortholog of the kinase component of positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb)-indicating that they likely resulted from aberrant transcription elongation. Reduced Cdk9 activity also partially rescued chromosome segregation phenotypes of H2Bub1 mutants. In a genome-wide analysis, loss of H2Bub1 led to increased antisense transcripts at over 500 protein-coding genes in H2Bub1 mutants; for a subset of these, including several genes involved in chromosome segregation and chromatin assembly, antisense derepression was Cdk9-dependent. Our results highlight antisense suppression as a key feature of cell cycle-dependent gene regulation by H2Bub1, and suggest that aberrant transcription elongation may underlie the effects of H2Bub1 loss on cell cycle progression.

Early Loss of Histone H2B Monoubiquitylation Alters Chromatin Accessibility and Activates Key Immune Pathways That Facilitate Progression of Ovarian Cancer

Recent insights supporting the fallopian tube epithelium (FTE) and serous tubal intraepithelial carcinomas (STIC) as the tissue of origin and the precursor lesion, respectively, for the majority of high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas (HGSOC) provide the necessary context to study the mechanisms that drive the development and progression of HGSOC. Here, we investigate the role of the E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF20 and histone H2B monoubiquitylation (H2Bub1) in serous tumorigenesis and report that heterozygous loss of RNF20 defines the majority of HGSOC tumors. At the protein level, H2Bub1 was lost or downregulated in a large proportion of STIC and invasive HGSOC tumors, implicating RNF20/H2Bub1 loss as an early event in the development of serous ovarian carcinoma. Knockdown of RNF20, with concomitant loss of H2Bub1, was sufficient to enhance cell migration and clonogenic growth of FTE cells. To investigate the mechanisms underlying these effects, we performed ATAC-seq and RNA-seq in RNF20 knockdown FTE cell lines. Loss of RNF20 and H2Bub1 was associated with a more open chromatin conformation, leading to upregulation of immune signaling pathways, including IL6. IL6 was one of the key cytokines significantly upregulated in RNF20- and H2Bub1-depleted FTE cells and imparted upon these cells an enhanced migratory phenotype. These studies provide mechanistic insight into the observed oncogenic phenotypes triggered by the early loss of H2Bub1. SIGNIFICANCE: Loss of RNF20 and H2Bub1 contributes to transformation of the fallopian tube epithelium and plays a role in the initiation and progression of high-grade serous ovarian cancer.Graphical Abstract: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/79/4/760/F1.large.jpg.

RNF20/40-mediated eEF1BδL monoubiquitylation stimulates transcription of heat shock-responsive genes.

RNF20/40 E3 ubiquitin ligase-mediated histone H2B monoubiquitylation plays important roles in many cellular processes, including transcriptional regulation. However, the multiple defects observed in RNF20-depleted cells suggest additional ubiquitylation targets of RNF20/40 beyond histone H2B. Here, using biochemically defined assays employing purified factors and cell-based analyses, we demonstrate that RNF20/40, in conjunction with its cognate E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme RAD6, monoubiquitylates lysine 381 of eEF1BδL, a heat shock transcription factor. Notably, monoubiquitylation of eEF1BδL increases eEF1BδL accumulation and potentiates recruitment of p-TEFb to the promoter regions of heat shock-responsive genes, leading to enhanced transcription of these genes. We further demonstrate that cooperative physical interactions among eEF1BδL, RNF20/40, and HSF1 synergistically promote expression of heat shock-responsive genes. In addition to identifying eEF1BδL as a novel ubiquitylation target of RNF20/40 and elucidating its function, we provide a molecular mechanism for the cooperative function of distinct transcription factors in heat shock-responsive gene transcription.

Spinal RNF20-Mediated Histone H2B Monoubiquitylation Regulates mGluR5 Transcription for Neuropathic Allodynia.

To date, histone H2B monoubiquitination (H2Bub), a mark associated with transcriptional elongation and ongoing transcription, has not been linked to the development or maintenance of neuropathic pain states. Here, using male Sprague Dawley rats, we demonstrated spinal nerve ligation (SNL) induced behavioral allodynia and provoked ring finger protein 20 (RNF20)-dependent H2Bub in dorsal horn. Moreover, SNL provoked RNF20-mediated H2Bub phosphorylated RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) in the promoter fragments of mGluR5, thereby enhancing mGluR5 transcription/expression in the dorsal horn. Conversely, focal knockdown of spinal RNF20 expression reversed not only SNL-induced allodynia but also RNF20/H2Bub/RNAPII phosphorylation-associated spinal mGluR5 transcription/expression. Notably, TNF-α injection into naive rats and specific neutralizing antibody injection into SNL-induced allodynia rats revealed that TNF-α-associated allodynia involves the RNF20/H2Bub/RNAPII transcriptional axis to upregulate mGluR5 expression in the dorsal horn. Collectively, our findings indicated TNF-α induces RNF20-drived H2B monoubiquitination, which facilitates phosphorylated RNAPII-dependent mGluR5 transcription in the dorsal horn for the development of neuropathic allodynia.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Histone H2B monoubiquitination (H2Bub), an epigenetic post-translational modification, positively correlated with gene expression. Here, TNF-α participated in neuropathic pain development by enhancing RNF20-mediated H2Bub, which facilitates phosphorylated RNAPII-dependent mGluR5 transcription in dorsal horn. Our finding potentially identified neuropathic allodynia pathophysiological processes underpinning abnormal nociception processing and opens a new avenue for the development of novel analgesics.

Abstract B44: Early loss of monoubiquitylation of H2B alters key metabolic and immune signaling pathways promoting the progression of high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Abstract High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most common form of ovarian cancer, accounting for over 70% of all cases. HGSOC is frequently complicated by the inevitable development of therapeutic resistance, and thus remains an incurable disease. Recent insights supporting the fallopian tube epithelium (FTE) as a point of origin for HGSOC and the serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) as the precursor lesion for a majority of HGSOCs provide the necessary context to study the mechanisms that drive the development and progression of HGSOC. Understanding these key molecular processes is essential to inform the development of next-generation therapies. In this study we investigated the role of the ubiquitin ligase RNF20 and histone H2B monoubiquitylation (H2Bub1) in serous tumorigenesis. H2Bub1, catalyzed largely by RNF20, is an epigenetic mark with tumor-suppressor properties. The loss of RNF20/H2Bub1 has been linked with cancer progression. We used immunohistochemistry to characterize the expression of H2Bub1 in HGSOC and FTE precursors. We found that H2Bub1 is lost or downregulated in a large proportion of STICs and HGSOC tumors, implicating RNF20/H2Bub1 loss as an early event in serous tumorigenesis. Consistent with our findings, analysis of TCGA data shows that the majority of HGSOCs exhibit heterozygous loss of RNF20. Functionally, we demonstrated that shRNA-mediated knockdown of RNF20, with concomitant loss of H2Bub1, was sufficient to increase cell migration and clonogenic growth of immortalized FTE cells. To understand the mechanisms underlying these effects, we performed RNA-seq and proteomics profiling (RPPA) in RNF20 knockdown cells. Major changes were observed in a number of structural, metabolic (e.g., glutamine pathway), and cytokines and inflammatory signaling pathways, providing early mechanistic insights for the observed oncogenic phenotypes. In summary, our study identifies that loss of H2Bub1 is an early epigenetic event in HGSOC that rewires glutamine metabolism and certain inflammatory pathways, which may represent unique therapeutic opportunities. Citation Format: Jagmohan Hooda, Marian Novak, Emily MacDuffie, Melissa Song, Jenny Lester, Vinita Parkash, Gordon B. Mills, Beth Y. Karlan, Moshe Oren, Ronny Drapkin. Early loss of monoubiquitylation of H2B alters key metabolic and immune signaling pathways promoting the progression of high-grade serous ovarian cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Conference: Addressing Critical Questions in Ovarian Cancer Research and Treatment; Oct 1-4, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2018;24(15_Suppl):Abstract nr B44.

Structural Basis for H2B Monoubiquitylation by Bre1 and Rad6

Histone ubiquitylation is implicated in many cellular processes that include transcriptional regulation and DNA damage repair. In yeast, monoubiquitylation on lysine 123 residue of histone H2B is mediated by Rad6 E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzyme and Bre1 E3 ubiquitin ligase. Interestingly, our biochemical analyses previously showed that Rad6 binds to the N‐terminal coiled‐coil motif (CCM) of Bre1 while most E2 enzymes interact with RING‐finger domains within their cognate E3 enzymes. To understand detailed structural basis for Rad6‐Bre1 interaction, we solved the crystal structure of Rad6‐Bre1 CCM complex at 2.1Å resolution and deployed in vitro protein interaction and H2B ubiquitylation analyses with purified factors to validate obtained structural model. We found that Bre1 CCM anchors to the backside of Rad6 and this unique Rad6‐Bre1 recognition mode directs histone H2B monoubiquitylation rather than polyubiquitylation. In addition, two Bre1 CCM monomers form a homodimer in an asymmetric manner with each adopting a distinct conformation. This explains why two Bre1 homologs, Bre1A and Bre1B, are evolved to form a heterodimeric E3 enzyme in higher eukaryotes. Our structural study reveals a novel RING‐finger independent interaction of Rad6 and Bre1 and establishes the molecular mechanism of H2B monoubiquitylation.Support or Funding InformationNational Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea (2015R1A1A1A05001593)This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Protein ubiquitination on the regulation of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease refers to chronic inflammatory disorders that affect the gastrointestinal tract. Ubiquitination is an important protein post-translational modification. In recent years, the research of ubiquitination-deubiquitination system in the development of inflammatory bowel disease has become a hot spot. Up to now, the E3 ubiquitin ligases such as ring finger protein 183 (RNF183), RNF20, Itch and A20 were well studied in inflammatory bowel disease. RNF183 promotes the activation of the NF-κB pathway by increasing the ubiquitination and degradation of IκBα; RNF20 drives histone H2B monoubiquitylation, downregulates a panel of inflammation-associated genes; Itch inhibits IL-17-mediated colon inflammation by retinoid acid related orphan receptor γt ubiquitination; A20 has ubiquitinating-deubiquitinating activity to regulates colon inflammation. This article reviews the role and regulatory mechanism of RNF183, RNF20, Itch and A20 in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract 4451: Elevated USP22 is a potential therapeutic target for human non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract Elevated ubiquitin-specific protease 22 (USP22) is associated with enhanced malignancy, therapeutic resistance, and poor prognosis of various human cancers. In this study, the clinicopathological significance of USP22, therapeutic implication of targeting USP22, and underlying molecules of USP22 knockdown were investigated in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that USP22 protein was dramatically elevated in ~ 67% of 197 NSCLC tissues compared with adjacent normal lung tissues. Importantly, statistical analysis demonstrated that elevated USP22 was positively associated with advanced cancer stage and a trend to poor prognosis of NSCLC patients. Moreover, siRNA-mediated knockdown of USP22 induced a cell cycle arrest in G1/S phase and significantly suppressed cell proliferation and soft agar colony formations in NSCLC cell lines. In addition, knockdown of USP22 significantly enhanced cisplatin-induced genotoxic effects in NSCLC cell lines. Furthermore, USP22 silencing substantially down-regulated SIRT1 and upregulated p53 tumor suppressor in NSCLC cells, indicating downregulation of USP22 may boost p53-mediated tumor suppression and DNA damage response in NSCLC cells. Knockdown of USP22 also increased global histone H2B monoubiquitylation, H3K4 and H3K79 trimethylation leading to global gene expression profile changes in these NSCLC cells. These results suggest that targeting USP22 will have broad anti-cancer effects via altering multiple cancer signaling pathways. Taken together, data of this study further indicate that the elevated USP22 may potentially represent a prognostic factor and therapeutic target for NSCLC patients. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Keqiang Zhang, Tommy R Tong, Xinwei Yun, Rebecca Nelson, Nardi Isaac, Ravi Salgia, Dan Raz. Elevated USP22 is a potential therapeutic target for human non-small cell lung cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4451. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-4451

Abstract MIP-060: EPIGENETIC DYSREGULATION OF A HISTONE MARK REVEALS A METABOLIC VULNERABILITY IN OVARIAN CANCER

Abstract High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is frequently complicated by the inevitable development of therapeutic resistance, and thus remains an incurable disease. Recent insights supporting the fallopian tube epithelium (FTE) as the tissue of origin and serous tubal intraepithelial carcinomas (STICs) as the precursor lesion for the majority of HGSOCs provide a necessary context to study the mechanisms that drive the development and progression of HGSOC. Understanding these key molecular processes is essential to inform the development of next generation therapies. In this study we investigated the role of the ubiquitin ligase RNF20 and histone H2B monoubiquitylation (H2Bub1) in serous tumorigenesis. H2Bub1, catalyzed largely by RNF20, is an epigenetic mark with tumor suppressor properties. Conversely, the loss of RNF20/H2Bub1 has been linked with cancer progression. By analyzing the TCGA data we found that heterozygous loss of RNF20 defines the majority of HGSOC tumors. Our IHC results show that H2Bub1 is lost or downregulated in a large proportion of STICs and invasive HGSOC tumors, implicating RNF20/H2Bub1 loss as an early event in serous ovarian cancer tumorigenesis. Functionally, we demonstrated that shRNA-mediated RNF20 knockdown, with concomitant H2Bub1 downregulation, was sufficient to increase cell migration and clonogenic growth of immortalized tubal epithelial cells as well as cells derived from invasive HGSOC. Subsequent proteomic profiling (RPPA), of RNF20/H2Bub1-depleted cells revealed pronounced changes in the steady-state levels of a number of metabolic and signaling pathways. In particular, two of the top differentially expressed proteins were glutaminase (GLS) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLUD1/2), key enzymes in the glutamine metabolism pathway. These changes are predicted to result in elevated levels of glutamate that can fuel the TCA cycle, amino acid biogenesis, and/or glutathione production. We hypothesize that loss of RNF20/H2Bub1 rewires glutamine metabolism in cancer cells and leads to an increase in transamination and glutathione production which fuels the progression of HGSOC. In conclusion, our study identifies that loss of H2Bub1 is an early epigenetic event in HGSOC progression, which rewires glutamine metabolism and may represent a unique therapeutic vulnerability. Citation Format: Jagmohan Hood, Marián Novak, Emily MacDuffie, Jenny Lester, Vinita Parkash, Gordon B. Mills, Beth Y. Karlan, Moshe Oren, and Ronny Drapkin. EPIGENETIC DYSREGULATION OF A HISTONE MARK REVEALS A METABOLIC VULNERABILITY IN OVARIAN CANCER [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 11th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium; Sep 12-13, 2016; Seattle, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2017;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr MIP-060.

Monoubiquitylation of histone H2B contributes to the bypass of DNA damage during and after DNA replication

DNA lesion bypass is mediated by DNA damage tolerance (DDT) pathways and homologous recombination (HR). The DDT pathways, which involve translesion synthesis and template switching (TS), are activated by the ubiquitylation (ub) of PCNA through components of the RAD6-RAD18 pathway, whereas the HR pathway is independent of RAD18 However, it is unclear how these processes are coordinated within the context of chromatin. Here we show that Bre1, an ubiquitin ligase specific for histone H2B, is recruited to chromatin in a manner coupled to replication of damaged DNA. In the absence of Bre1 or H2Bub, cells exhibit accumulation of unrepaired DNA lesions. Consequently, the damaged forks become unstable and resistant to repair. We provide physical, genetic, and cytological evidence that H2Bub contributes toward both Rad18-dependent TS and replication fork repair by HR. Using an inducible system of DNA damage bypass, we further show that H2Bub is required for the regulation of DDT after genome duplication. We propose that Bre1-H2Bub facilitates fork recovery and gap-filling repair by controlling chromatin dynamics in response to replicative DNA damage.

The Histone Modification Domain of Paf1 Complex Subunit Rtf1 Directly Stimulates H2B Ubiquitylation through an Interaction with Rad6

The five-subunit yeast Paf1 complex (Paf1C) regulates all stages of transcription and is critical for the monoubiquitylation of histone H2B (H2Bub), a modification that broadly influences chromatin structure and eukaryotic transcription. Here, we show that the histone modification domain (HMD) of Paf1C subunit Rtf1 directly interacts with the ubiquitin conjugase Rad6 and stimulates H2Bub independently of transcription. We present the crystal structure of the Rtf1 HMD and use site-specific, invivo crosslinking to identify a conserved Rad6 interaction surface. Utilizing ChIP-exo analysis, we define the localization patterns of the H2Bub machinery at high resolution and demonstrate the importance of Paf1C in targeting the Rtf1 HMD, and thereby H2Bub, to its appropriate genomic locations. Finally, we observe HMD-dependent stimulation of H2Bub in a transcription-free, reconstituted invitro system. Taken together, our results argue for an active role for Paf1C in promoting H2Bub and ensuring its proper localization invivo.

Structure and Function of the RING Domains of RNF20 and RNF40, Dimeric E3 Ligases that Monoubiquitylate Histone H2B

Monoubiquitylation of histone H2B is a post-translational mark that plays key roles in regulation of transcription and genome stability. In humans, attachment of ubiquitin to lysine 120 of histone H2B depends on the activity of the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, Ube2B, and the really interesting new gene (RING) E3 ligases, RING finger protein (RNF) 20 and RNF40. To better understand the molecular basis of this modification, we have solved the crystal structure of the RNF20 RING domain and show that it is a homodimer that specifically interacts with the Ube2B~Ub conjugate. By mutating residues at the E3–E2 and E3–ubiquitin interfaces, we identify key contacts required for interaction of the RNF20 RING domain with the Ube2B~Ub conjugate. These mutants were used to generate a structure-based model of the RNF20–Ube2B~Ub complex that reveals differences from other RING-E2~Ub complexes, and suggests how the RNF20–Ube2B~Ub complex might interact with its nucleosomal substrate. Additionally, we show that the RING domains of RNF20 and RNF40 can form a stable heterodimer that is active. Together, our studies provide new insights into the mechanisms that regulate RNF20-mediated ubiquitin transfer from Ube2B.