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

S. Branden Van Oss, Margaret K. Shirra, Alain R. Bataille, Adam D. Wier, Kuangyu Yen, Vinesh Vinayachandran, In Ja L. Byeon, Christine E. Cucinotta, Annie Héroux, Jongcheol Jeon, Jaehoon Kim, Andrew P. VanDemark, B. Franklin Pugh, Karen M. Arndt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

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, in vivo 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 in vitro system. Taken together, our results argue for an active role for Paf1C in promoting H2Bub and ensuring its proper localization in vivo.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)815-825
Number of pages11
JournalMolecular cell
Volume64
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 17 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bre1
  • H2B ubiquitylation
  • Paf1 complex
  • RNA Polymerase II
  • Rad6
  • Rtf1
  • chromatin
  • histone modifications
  • transcription elongation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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