Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 24, 2026

In Vitro Ubiquitination and Deubiquitination Assays of Nucleosomal Histones
Published on: July 25, 2019
H2B ubiquitylation and de-ubiquitylation in gene activation
Anastasia Wyce1, Karl W Henry, Shelley L Berger
1The Wistar Institute, Gene Expression and Regulation Program, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Abstract:
Previous models for the role of histone modifications suggest that adding and removing modifications, such as acetylation/deacetylation in gene regulation, are functionally antagonistic. We have investigated a transcriptional role of H2B C-terminal ubiquitylation and de-ubiquitylation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. H2B ubiquitylation is required for optimal transcription of SUC2 and GAL1 genes. The ubiquitin hydrolase Ubp8 is a stable component of SAGA but not ADA complexes, and is not required for overall integrity of SAGA. Biochemical and genetic evidence indicates that Ubp8 targets H2B for deubiquitylation. The dynamic balance of H2B ubiquitylation/deubiquitylation is important for GAL1 transcription since either substitution of the ubiquitylation site in H2B (Lys123), or loss of Ubp8, lowers GAL1 expression. Further, this balance of ubiquitylation appears to set the balance of histone H3 methylation at Lys4 relative to Lys36. Thus, unlike acetylation/deacetylation whose functions are mutually opposing, both ubiquitylation and de-ubiquitylation are required for gene activation. These results suggest that ubiquitylation of histones has a unique role among histone modifications, possibly to orchestrate an ordered pathway of chromatin alterations.
Related Concept Videos
Covalently Linked Protein Regulators
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein.
Histone Modification
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
Histone Modification
Acetylation
The enzyme histone acetyltransferase adds acetyl group to the histones. Another enzyme, histone deacetylase,...
Regulated Protein Degradation
Protein degradation plays two important roles in the cells. It helps to protect cells from misfolded or damaged proteins before they lead to a...
Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps
Spreading of Chromatin Modifications
Writers
The writer is an enzyme that can...

