Short Histone H2A Variants: Small in Stature but not in Function

The dynamic packaging of DNA into chromatin regulates all aspects of genome function by altering the accessibility of DNA and by providing docking pads to proteins that copy, repair and express the genome. Different epigenetic-based mechanisms have been described that alter the way DNA is organised into chromatin, but one fundamental mechanism alters the biochemical composition of a nucleosome by substituting one or more of the core histones with their variant forms. Of the core histones, the largest number of histone variants belong to the H2A class. The most divergent class is the designated “short H2A variants” (H2A.B, H2A.L, H2A.P and H2A.Q), so termed because they lack a H2A C-terminal tail. These histone variants appeared late in evolution in eutherian mammals and are lineage-specific, being expressed in the testis (and, in the case of H2A.B, also in the brain). To date, most information about the function of these peculiar histone variants has come from studies on the H2A.B and H2A.L family in mice. In this review, we describe their unique protein characteristics, their impact on chromatin structure, and their known functions plus other possible, even non-chromatin, roles in an attempt to understand why these peculiar histone variants evolved in the first placeThis research was funded by the Australian National and Health Medical Research Council, grant application number 11423

SLY regulates genes involved in chromatin remodeling and interacts with TBL1XR1 during sperm differentiation

Sperm differentiation requires unique transcriptional regulation and chromatin remodeling after meiosis to ensure proper compaction and protection of the paternal genome. Abnormal sperm chromatin remodeling can induce sperm DNA damage, embryo lethality and male infertility, yet, little is known about the factors which regulate this process. Deficiency in Sly, a mouse Y chromosome-encoded gene expressed only in postmeiotic male germ cells, has been shown to result in the deregulation of hundreds of sex chromosome-encoded genes associated with multiple sperm differentiation defects and subsequent male infertility. The underlying mechanism remained, to date, unknown. Here, we show that SLY binds to the promoter of sex chromosome-encoded and autosomal genes highly expressed postmeiotically and involved in chromatin regulation. Specifically, we demonstrate that Sly knockdown directly induces the deregulation of sex chromosome-encoded H2A variants and of the H3K79 methyltransferase DOT1L. The modifications prompted by loss of Sly alter the postmeiotic chromatin structure and ultimately result in abnormal sperm chromatin remodeling with negative consequences on the sperm genome integrity. Altogether our results show that SLY is a regulator of sperm chromatin remodeling. Finally we identified that SMRT/N-CoR repressor complex is involved in gene regulation during sperm differentiation since members of this complex, in particular TBL1XR1, interact with SLY in postmeiotic male germ cells.This work was supported by Inserm (Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale), the Agence Nationale de la Recherche program ANR-12–JSV2-0005–01 (to JC), Labex ‘Who am I?’(ANR-11- LABX-0071 under program ANR-11-IDEX-0005-01) and a Marie Curie fellowship FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF-273143 (to JC

Nuclear-Cytoplasmic Shuttling of the Oncogenic Mouse UNP/USP4 Deubiquitylating Enzyme

The oncogenic deubiquitylating enzyme (DUB) Unp/ Usp4, which binds to the retinoblastoma family of tumor suppressor proteins, was originally described as a nuclear protein. However, more recent studies have shown it to be cytoplasmic. In addition, analysis of its subcellular localization has been complicated by the existence of the paralog Usp15. In this study, we resolved this controversy by investigating the localization of exogenously expressed Usp4 (using red fluorescent protein-Usp4) and of endogenous Usp4 (using highly specific antibodies that can distinguish Usp4 from Usp15). We found that by inhibiting nuclear export with leptomycin B, both exogenous and endogenous Usp4 accumulate in the nucleus. Further, using a Rev-green fluorescent protein-based export assay, we confirmed the existence of a nuclear export signal (133VEVYLLELKL142) in Usp4. In addition, a functional nuclear import signal (766QPQKKKK772) was also identified, which was specifically recognized by importin α/β. Finally, we show that the equilibrium of Usp4 subcellular localization varies between different cell types. Usp4 is thus the first DUB reported to have nucleocytoplasmic shuttling properties. The implications of this shuttling for its function as a DUB are discussed

About approaches to creation of all-Russian quality assurance agencies register

RF-market of service on education quality assurance and independent accreditation of universities is only entering into a phase of active development. Regulation of this market is an integral requirement of its prosperity. That is why the project developed in the framework of Federal Education Development Programme – model of All-Russian Quality Assurance Agencies Register has evoked interest not only in Russia but also of international experts in quality assurance. In Europe the quality assurance agencies actively use in their work principles of publicity and openness of assessment conducting. Their work is regulated by European Register of Quality Assurance Agencies (EQAR). In this article is described the model of All-Russian Quality Assurance Agencies Register and the ways of its implementation

An efficient system for high-level expression and easy purification of authentic recombinant proteins

Expression of recombinant proteins as fusions to the eukaryotic protein ubiquitin has been found to significantly increase the yield of unstable or poorly expressed proteins. The benefit of this technique is further enhanced by the availability of naturally occurring deubiquitylating enzymes, which remove ubiquitin from the fusion product. However, the versatility of the system has been constrained due to the lack of a robust, easily purified deubiquitylating enzyme. Here we report the development of an efficient expression system, utilizing the ubiquitin fusion technique, which allows convenient high yield and easy purification of authentic protein. An Escherichia coli vector (pHUE) was constructed for the expression of proteins as histidine-tagged ubiquitin fusions, and a histidine-tagged deubiquitylating enzyme to cleave these fusions was expressed and purified. The expression system was tested using several proteins varying in size and complexity. These results indicate that this procedure will be suitable for the expression and rapid purification of a broad range of proteins and peptides, and should be amenable to high-throughput applications

An Improved Method for Purification of the Residual Bodies from the Seminiferous Tubules of Mice

International audienceHuman fertility is declining in Western countries, and it is becoming increasingly clear that male infertility plays a pivotal role in the overall fertility decline. To understand the process that drives successful male germ cell maturation, the study of spermatogenesis of model organisms, such as mice, is essential. Residual bodies (RBs) play an important role in the last stages of spermatogenesis. They are formed at the time when post-meiotic spermatids undergo sequential differentiation steps so that the acrosome and flagellum are developed, the nucleus is markedly condensed, and the cytoplasm is lost. The masses of lost cytoplasm become RBs. Our recent work has shown that RB dynamics are highly sensitive to even small fertility defects. It was also noted that the transcriptome and proteome of RBs changes in response to spermatogenic defects. Thus, RBs represent an excellent and highly sensitive entity for studying male fertility. Previously published protocols for RB purification had some major limitations: they produced an RB fraction that was heavily contaminated with spermatozoa and erythrocytes or required tens of grams of starting material. In addition, most of the available protocols were developed for purification of RBs from rat testes. Here, we present a protocol that allows the isolation of 2.5-3 × 10 6 RBs from mouse testes with a purity of 98% from only 1 g of starting material. The purified material can be used for various downstream applications to study male fertility, such as transcriptome and proteome analyses, super-resolution microscopy, and electron and cryo-electron microscopy, amongst many others

Comparative analysis of rape seed production in Russia and Kemerovsk region

The purpose of the research is to conduct a comparative analysis of rapeseed production in the territory of the Russian Federation and the Kemerovo region. During 2011-2019, on the territory of the Russian Federation (RF) and the Kemerovo region, a comparative analysis of the sown area, yield, gross harvest of spring rape was carried out. The research results showed that over the past 9 years, from 2011 to 2019, the sown area, both in the Russian Federation and in the Kemerovo Region, has doubled. At the same time, there is a strong variation in this indicator. The variation coefficient ranged from 43.3% to 54.1%. On the territory of the Russian Federation and in the Kemerovo region, an increase in the yield of spring rape is observed by 1.13 times and 1.04 times, respectively. It was revealed that an increase in the gross harvest of spring rape seeds occurs on the basis of an extensive development of production due to an increase in the sowing area and yield

H2A.B is a cancer/testis factor involved in the activation of ribosome biogenesis in Hodgkin lymphoma

Testis-specific regulators of chromatin function are commonly ectopically expressed in human cancers, but their roles are poorly understood. Examination of 81 primary Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) samples showed that the ectopic expression of the eutherian testis-specific histone variant H2A.B is an inherent feature of HL. In experiments using two HL cell lines derived from different subtypes of HL, H2A.B knockdown inhibited cell proliferation. H2A.B was enriched in both nucleoli of these HL cell lines and primary HL samples. We found that H2A.B enhanced ribosomal DNA (rDNA) transcription, was enriched at the rDNA promoter and transcribed regions, and interacted with RNA Pol I. Depletion of H2A.B caused the loss of RNA Pol I from rDNA chromatin. Remarkably, H2A.B was also required for high levels of ribosomal protein gene expression being located at the transcriptional start site and within the gene body. H2A.B knockdown reduced gene body chromatin accessibility of active RNA Pol II genes concurrent with a decrease in transcription. Taken together, our data show that in HL H2A.B has acquired a new function, the ability to increase ribosome biogenesis.This work was supported by a grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council (1142399, D.T. and T.S.) and an Australian Research CouncilFuture Fellowship (1610043, J.W.)

Gene editing of the multi-copy H2A.B gene and its importance for fertility 06 Biological Sciences 0604 Genetics Jin-Soo Kim

Altering the biochemical makeup of chromatin by the incorporation of histone variants during development represents a key mechanism in regulating gene expression. The histone variant H2A.B, H2A.B.3 in mice, appeared late in evolution and is most highly expressed in the testis. In the mouse, it is encoded by three different genes. H2A.B expression is spatially and temporally regulated during spermatogenesis being most highly expressed in the haploid round spermatid stage. Active genes gain H2A.B where it directly interacts with polymerase II and RNA processing factors within splicing speckles. However, the importance of H2A.B for gene expression and fertility are unknown