The ubiquitin-specific protease USP36 is a conserved histone H2B deubiquitinase

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications 2018-01, Vol.495 (3), p.2363-2368
• Main Authors: DeVine, Tiffany, Sears, Rosalie C., Dai, Mu-Shui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Conserved Sequence; Deubiquitinating enzyme; Deubiquitinating Enzymes - genetics; Deubiquitinating Enzymes - metabolism; Endopeptidases - genetics; Endopeptidases - metabolism; Enzyme Activation; H2B; H2Bub1; HEK293 Cells; HeLa Cells; Histone; Humans; Protein Binding; Substrate Specificity; Ubiquitin - metabolism; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase - genetics; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase - metabolism; Ubiquitinated Proteins - metabolism; Ubiquitination - physiology; USP36
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.12.107

Histone H2B monoubiquitination plays a critical role in the regulation of gene transcription. Deregulation of H2B monoubiquitination contributes to human pathologies, such as cancer. Here we report that human USP36 is a novel H2Bub1 deubiquitinase. We show that USP36 interacts with H2B and deubiquitinates H2Bub1 in cells and in vitro. Overexpression of USP36 markedly reduced the levels of H2Bub1 in cells. Using the p21 gene as a model, we demonstrate that depletion of USP36 increases H2Bub1 at the p21 locus, primarily within its gene body. Consistently, knockdown of USP36 induced the expression of p21 and inhibits cell proliferation. Together, our results reveal USP36 as a novel H2B deubiquitinase and shed light on its additional functions in regulating gene expression. •USP36 is a novel H2B deubiquitinase.•Knockdown of USP36 increases H2Bub1 at the p21 gene body.•Knockdown of USP36 induces p21 expression and inhibits cell proliferation.