Regulation of chromatin by epigenetic modifications is a fundamental step during the control of gene expression in eukaryotic cells. The participation of different factors including histone chaperones, chromatin remodeling complexes and histone-modifying complexes regulate chromatin dynamics and ensure the correct metabolism of transcripts that need to be exported to the cytoplasm. In these lines, post-translational modifications including monoubiquitination of histone H2B (H2Bub1) and methylation of histone H3 represent a well-studied histone cross-talk which is required for chromatin integrity and transcription. Additionally, the transition from H2Bub1 to its deubiquitinated form by Ubp8, the DUB enzyme from SAGA (Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltranferase) co-activator complex, is fundamental to obtain a correct gene expression. In this work, we demonstrate that the histone chaperone Asf1 and the Ran-binding protein Mog1, participate in maintaining correct levels of H2Bub1. We show that Mog1 is required for the trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me3), hence, acting as a modulator of histone cross-talk. Mog1 role into gene expression is also demonstrated by its physical and genetically interaction with transcription factors including SAGA and COMPASS complexes. Indeed, we demonstrate that Mog1 interacts genetically with TREX-2 subunits and affects mRNA export. During this work, we have also focused in understanding the molecular mechanisms surrounding Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7 (SCA7) which is a rare disease caused by amino acid glutamine (Q) repeats within the DUBm component, ATXN7. Therefore, our interest has been directed towards the study of new mechanisms that trigger SCA7 such as the DUB activity from SAGA complex, protein-protein interaction networks and metabolic profiles. / La regulación de la cromatina a través de modificaciones epigenéticas es un paso fundamental durante el control de la expresión génica en células eucariotas. La participación de diferentes factores tales como chaperonas de histonas, complejos de remodelación de la cromatina y complejos modificadores de histonas, regulan la dinámica de la cromatina y garantizan el correcto metabolismo de los transcritos que necesitan ser exportados al citoplasma. De esta forma, las modificaciones postraduccionales que incluyen la monoubicuitinación de la histona H2B (H2Bub1) y la metilación de la histona H3 representan un "cross-talk" de histonas la cual es requerida para la integridad de la cromatina y la transcripción. Además, la transición de H2Bub1 a su forma desubicuitinada por Ubp8, la enzima DUB del complejo co-activador SAGA (Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetiltranferasa), es necesaria para obtener una expresión génica correcta. En este trabajo, se demuestra que la chaperona de histona Asf1 y la proteína de unión a Ran, Mog1, participan en el mantenimiento de los niveles de H2Bub1. Se demuestra que Mog1 es necesaria para la trimetilación de la histona H3 en la lisina 4 (H3K4me3), actuando como un modulador del "cross-talk" de histonas. El papel de Mog1 en la expresión génica también se demuestra por sus interacciones físicas y genéticas con factores de transcripción, incluyendo los complejos SAGA y COMPASS. Además, demostramos que Mog1 interactúa genéticamente con subunidades de TREX-2 y afecta a la exportación de mRNAs. Durante este trabajo, también nos hemos centrado en la comprensión de los mecanismos moleculares que envuelven a la Ataxia Espinocerebelosa Tipo 7 (SCA7), que es una enfermedad rara causada por una repetición de aminoácidos glutamina (Q) dentro del componente del DUBm, ATXN7. Por lo tanto, nuestro interés se ha dirigido hacia el estudio de nuevos mecanismos que desencadenan SCA7, como la actividad DUB del complejo SAGA, las interacciones proteína-proteína y los perfiles metabólicos. / La regulació de la cromatina a través de modificacions epigenètiques és un pas fonamental durant el control de l'expressió gènica en cèl·lules eucariotes. La participació de diferents factors tals com chaperones d'histones, complexos de remodelació de la cromatina i complexos modificadors d'histones, regulen la dinàmica de la cromatina i garanteixen el correcte metabolisme dels transcrits que necessiten ser exportats al citoplasma. D'aquesta forma, les modificacions postraduccionals que inclouen la monoubicuitinació de la histona H2B (H2Bub1) i la metilació de la histona H3 representen un "cross-talk" d'histones la qual és requerida per a la integritat de la cromatina i la transcripció. A més, la transició d'H2Bub1 a la seua forma desubicuitinada per Ubp8, l'enzim DUB del complex co-activador SAGA (Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetiltranferasa), és necessària per a obtenir una expressió gènica correcta. En aquest treball, es demostra que la chaperona de histona Asf1 i la proteïna d'unió a Ran, Mog1, participen en el manteniment dels nivells d'H2Bub1. Es demostra que Mog1 és necessària per a la trimetilació de la histona H3 en la lisina 4 (H3K4me3), actuant com un modulador del "cross-talk" d'histones. El paper de Mog1 en l'expressió gènica també es demostra per les seues interaccions físiques i genètiques amb factors de transcripció, incloent els complexos SAGA i COMPASS. A més, vam demostrar que Mog1 interactua genèticament amb subunitats de TREX-2 i afecta a l'exportació de mRNA. Durant aquest treball, també ens hem centrat en la comprensió dels mecanismes moleculars que envolten a l'Atàxia Espinocerebelosa Tipus 7 (SCA7), que és una malaltia rara causada per una repetició d'aminoàcids glutamina (Q) dins del component del DUBm, ATXN7. Per tant, el nostre interès s'ha dirigit cap a l'estudi de nous mecanismes que desencadenen SCA7, com l'activitat DUB del complex SAGA, les interacciones proteïna-proteïna i els perfils metabòlics. / Oliete Calvo, P. (2017). Study of the SAGA deubiquitination module: identification of new modulators and its implication on Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7 [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/86155 / TESIS

Covalent modifications of histones play a critical role in many important biological processes such as transcription, DNA repair and recombination. Among the major modifications known so far, histone H3 acetylation at lysines 9 and 14 (H3K9/14), monoubiquitination of histone H2B at lysine123 (H2BK123) and H3 lysine 4 methylation (H3K4) are among the more studied ones. The importances of these modifications have been further stressed by its connection to various human diseases including cancers. Previous biochemical studies have shown that H2BK123 ubiquitination is mandatory for methylation at histone H3K4. However, little is known about the regulatory mechanisms of H3K4 methylation by H2B ubiquitination in vivo. Thus, the prime focus of this study is to understand the factors involved in the regulation of H2B ubiquitination, the regulatory mechanisms of the cross-talk between H2BK123 ubiquitination and H3K4 methylation and the role of these covalent modifications in transcriptional regulation under physiological conditions. Here in this study, I have shown that Ubp8p, a histone deubiquitinase, is a bona fide subunit of SAGA (Spt3-Ada-Gcn5 acetyltransferase) co-activator complex and selectively regulates both di and trimethylation of histone H3K4 at the core promoter of a SAGA-dependent gene in vivo. However, over the open reading frames for a subset of constitutive genes H2B ubiquitination selectively upregulates only H3K4 trimethylation but not dimethylation. Moreover, such an upregulation of H3K4 trimethylation has no impact on the RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII) recruitment and hence transcription of the respective genes. Interestingly, at an inducible gene, histone H2B ubiquitination promotes transcription elongation independently of H3K4 methylation. Furthermore, this study also demonstrates for the first time, the molecular mechanism for the cross-talk between H2B ubiquitination and H3K4 methylation in vivo. Evidently a COMPASS subunit, Cps35p, is necessary for the trans-tail cross talk between histones H2B and H3. Finally, this study also shows that Sgf73p, a SAGA subunit, is required for SAGA recruitment at the promoters of several SAGA dependent genes and facilitates transcription in both HAT-dependent and HAT-independent manner. Collectively, the results from this study not only provide deep insights into the regulatory mechanisms of H2B ubiquitination and H3K4 methylation (and their role in transcription) but also give a new functional dimension to SAGA subunit, Sgf73p, under physiological conditions. Given the role of histone acetylation, ubiquitination and methylation in many human diseases, the results from this study is of tremendous clinical value unveiling new therapeutical targets.