Quantitative Assessment of Histone H2B Monoubiquitination in Yeast Using Immunoblotting

Studies in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe have enhanced our understanding of the regulation and functions of histone H2B monoubiquitination (H2Bub1), a key epigenetic marker with important roles in transcription and other processes. The detection of H2Bub1 in yeasts using immunoblotting has been greatly facilitated by the commercial availability of antibodies against yeast histone H2B and the cross-reactivity of an antibody raised against monoubiquitinated human H2BK120. These antibodies have obviated the need to express epitope-tagged histone H2B to detect H2Bub1 in yeasts. Here, we provide a step-by-step protocol and best practices for the quantification of H2Bub1 in yeast systems, from cell extract preparation to immunoblotting using the commercially available antibodies. We demonstrate that the commercial antibodies can effectively and accurately detect H2Bub1 in S. cerevisiae and S. pombe. Further, we show that the C-terminal epitope-tagging of histone H2B alters the steady-state levels of H2Bub1 in yeast systems. We report a sectioned blot probing approach combined with the serial dilution of protein lysates and the use of reversibly stained proteins as loading controls that together provide a cost-effective and sensitive method for the quantitative evaluation of H2Bub1 in yeast.

Extensive studies conducted in simple eukaryotic model systems, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast) and Schizosaccharomyces pombe (fission yeast), have enhanced our basic understanding of the regulation and functions of monoubiquitination of histone H2B at K123 (in S. cerevisiae) or K119 (in S. pombe) (both equivalent to mammalian histone H2B K120). Unlike mammals, these yeasts lack histone H2AK119ub1 but contain histone H2BK123/K119ub1 [16]. Thus, they provide facile yet powerful systems to examine the effects of histone H2B monoubiquitination (H2Bub1) on chromatin structure, function, and transactions. Enzymes and factors involved in regulating H2Bub1 are conserved from yeasts to humans. The histone H2B ubiquitin-conjugating (HUC) complex in S. cerevisiae is made up of a single Rad6 E2 enzyme, a homodimer of the Bre1 E3 ligase, and the Lge1 accessory protein [17,18]. The equivalent S. pombe HUC complex, termed HULC, contains Rhp6, a heterodimer of the E3 ligases Brl1/Rfp2 and Brl2/Rfp1, and Shf1 [19,20]. Their orthologous mammalian HUC complexes contain one of two Rad6 homologs UBE2A or UBE2B, a heterodimer of the E3 ligases RNF20 and RNF40, and the accessory protein WAC [21][22][23]. Although the SAGA complex-associated Ubp8 appears to be the only enzyme that deubiquitinates H2BK119ub1 in S. pombe [24], Ubp8 and Ubp10 deubiquitinate H2BK123ub1 in S. cerevisiae [25][26][27]. Multiple deubiquitinases (DUBs), including USP22 in the SAGA complex, remove ubiquitin from H2BK120 in mammals [28]. Thus, the two yeast systems lack the extensive redundancy and complexity of factors involved in regulating H2Bub1 that is seen in mammals.
Higher eukaryotes contain many histone genes arranged in clusters. In contrast, S. pombe contains one gene (htb1+) and S. cerevisiae contains just two genes (HTB1 and HTB2) that code for histone H2B. This means that one can create loss-of-function alleles in these yeast by mutating the site of monoubiquitination in histone H2B (K119R in S. pombe or K123R in S. cerevisiae). This, along with their short life cycles and the ease of genome manipulation, make the S. cerevisiae and S. pombe model systems highly suitable for studies of the structure-function relationships and regulatory networks involved in governing H2Bub1.
Immunoblotting, or Western blotting, is a workhorse technique that is widely used to measure the presence and abundance of H2Bub1 in S. cerevisiae and S. pombe. In these yeast model systems, the presence of ubiquitin conjugated to H2B has been detected using antibodies against epitope tags, such as Flag, fused to the N-or C-terminus of histone H2B [29,30]. However, the commercial availability of antibodies that recognize yeast histone H2B and, more importantly, those that specifically recognize the ubiquitinated form of histone H2B have obviated the need to express epitope-tagged histone H2B for detecting H2Bub1. Moreover, as shown here, C-terminal epitope-tagging of histone H2B obstructs its detection and can alter the steady state levels of H2Bub1. Here, we provide a streamlined step-by-step procedure for the quantitative assessment of H2Bub1 levels in S. cerevisiae and S. pombe with immunoblotting using the commercially available antibodies against histone H2B and H2Bub1.

Experimental Design
The workflow for the quantitative assessment of histone H2B monoubiquitination (H2Bub1) in S. cerevisiae and S. pombe model systems is shown in Figure 1. Yeast cells from a solid media plate are inoculated into and grown overnight in liquid media. These precultures are then used to seed, grow, and harvest mid-log or actively growing yeast cultures (Steps 1-2). Cells are harvested, and then washed and lysed by bead-beating in the presence of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) (Steps 3-4). The acidic cell extract is collected, neutralized with Tris base, and boiled to obtain the final denatured lysate (Steps 5-7). After estimation of protein concentration using spectrophotometry, samples with equal amounts of proteins are resolved by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and transferred onto a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane using electro-transfer (Steps 8-11). Subsequently, blots are reversibly stained with Ponceau S dye to demarcate the regions containing H2Bub1 or H2B. The blot is blocked with non-fat dry-milk and sequentially probed with an antigen-specific primary antibody and a horse radish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated species-specific secondary antibody (Steps [12][13][14]. After incubating the antibody-probed blot with the ECL Plus substrate, the ensuing chemiluminescent signal is captured by autoradiography or other imaging methods and quantified by densitometry (Step 15).  (1) Streak yeast strains onto YPAD or YES50 solid media (see Section 5: Reagents setup) from glycerol stocks stored at −80 • C. Grow yeast in an incubator for 2-3 days at appropriate temperature.
(2) Use aseptic conditions to inoculate 2-3 yeast colonies into 3-5 mL YPAD or YES50 liquid media in a 16-mL culture tube. Grow cultures at 30 • C or at a permissive temperature with vigorous agitation overnight. Technical notes: (a) In general, S. cerevisiae or S. pombe strains are grown at 30 • C. However, optimal growth for certain S. pombe strains including those used in this study, is between 25 • C to 29 • C or at 32 • C. Any conditional temperature-sensitive yeast mutant should be grown at a predetermined permissive or restrictive temperature depending on the experiment. (b) We have observed higher levels of H2Bub1 in yeast cells grown in rich media (YPAD or YES50) than in synthetic media. (c) To ensure effective aeration, place the culture tubes in a tube holder angled at~45 • in a shaker incubator or, alternatively, grow yeast cultures in baffled Erlenmeyer flasks. CRITICAL STEP In S. cerevisiae, the steady-state H2Bub1 levels are dependent on glucose levels [29,31]. Thus, to prevent caramelization of glucose, avoid prolonged exposure of yeast media or stock solutions with glucose to temperatures above 120 • C as used during autoclaving. Alternatively, yeast media with glucose should be prepared by addition of a filter-sterilized glucose stock solution to autoclaved media.
(3) Determine absorbance at 600 nm (OD 600 ) of the yeast cultures using a spectrophotometer. To ensure samples are in a linear range of detection, dilute the overnight cultures in growth media and mix well prior to spectrophotometry. CRITICAL STEP The levels of H2Bub1 are high in actively growing cultures and decrease in stationary phase [29]; therefore, cultures should not be overgrown. When analyzing H2Bub1 levels, harvest cells at OD600 0.8-1.0 (or at mid-log phase). (4) Inoculate yeast cultures at a starting OD 600 of 0.2 in 50 mL media in a 250 mL baffled flask. Grow with agitation at 30 • C or at an appropriate temperature till cultures reach an OD 600 between 0.8-1.0; this should take~4 h. Technical notes: (a) Baffled flasks enable better growth by disrupting cell aggregation.
(b) For effective aeration of yeast cultures, use a media volume that is equal to one-fourth the total indicated capacity of the flask. (5) Harvest cells by centrifugation (845× g) in a 50-mL centrifuge tubes for 3 min. Technical notes: A 50-mL culture grown to 1 OD 600 yields~1 × 10 7 yeast cells. In general, 5-30 ODs of cells are sufficient for the TCA lysis protocol described below with 12-20 ODs being ideal for effective lysis. Using >30 ODs results in poor lysis during bead beating and therefore low protein yields. (6) Discard the spent media after centrifugation. Resuspend the pellet (5-30 ODs) in 1 mL sterile water to transfer the cells into a labeled 1.5-mL screwcap tube. Centrifuge at 845× g for 3 min to pellet cells. Discard water by pipetting or by using vacuum suction. (7) Resuspend cells in 0.5 mL 5% TCA. Vortex. Centrifuge at 845× g for 3 min. Discard the TCA solution and store the cell pellet at −80 • C. Technical note: The cell pellet obtained washing with water will be straw colored, it will be white after washing with 5% TCA. PAUSE STEP The cell pellets can be stored indefinitely at -80 • C.

Lysate Preparation
(1) Add 0.5 mL 20% TCA to the frozen cell pellet. Thaw and resuspend the cells in the TCA solution by vigorous vortexing.
(2) Add zirconia beads to the 0.5 mL mark of a screwcap tube containing cells resuspended in TCA (Figure 2a). Secure the cap well and place the tube in a Mini-Beadbeater-96. Agitate to bead-beat the cells for a duration of 30 s three times with a short cooling period (5-10 s) between each agitation.

CRITICAL STEPS (a)
Do not add more zirconia beads than recommended, as an excess will impede effective cell lysis. (b) Place the tubes in the bead-beater such that the tuberestrainer lid can be evenly secured using the wing nut screws. Skewed or imbalanced placement of tubes in the bead-beater can lead to loosening of the screws and dislodging of the lid during the vigorous shaking or bead-beating step that can potentially damage the equipment or the sample tubes.
(3) Heat the end of an 18-gauge needle using a Bunsen burner and insert it into the bottom of the screwcap tube ( Figure 2b). CAUTION Take care not to impale your fingers with the heated needle. (4) Place the punctured tube in a labeled 1.5-mL microfuge tube; the latter will serve as the collection tube. Centrifuge briefly (5-10 s) to collect the sample (Figure 2c). CAUTION To avoid breaking the sample tube, confirm that sufficient clearance exists between the screwcap-collection tube and the centrifuge lid ( Figure 2c).
(5) Discard the screw-cap tube containing beads. Centrifuge the lysate in the collection tube at 845× g for 5 min. (6) Add 300 mL water to a 500-mL glass beaker; bring to boiling. Technical note: This preparative step enables quick processing of samples in step 10. (7) Discard the supernatant. Wash the pellet gently with 0.5 mL 5% TCA. Centrifuge briefly and discard residual TCA solution. CRITICAL STEP Completely remove all TCA solution, as it will interfere with effective neutralization of the lysate in step 9.  Steps for collection and neutralization of acidic yeast lysate. a. Zirconia beads are added up to the 500 l mark in a screwcap tube as shown. b. Use a heated needle to puncture the tube at the bottom. c. Use a rotor that will accommodate the screwcap tube-collection tube set up as shown. To prevent it from breaking during centrifugation, the cap of the collection tube is oriented below in the rotor as shown. d. The set up needed for sample boiling is shown. Ensure that the water level is below the tube caps. e. Color of the acidic lysate. f. Color of the lysate after neutralization with Tris base.

CRITICAL STEPS (a)
Do not add more zirconia beads than recommended, as an excess will impede effective cell lysis. (b) Place the tubes in the bead-beater such that the tuberestrainer lid can be evenly secured using the wing nut screws. Skewed or imbalanced placement of tubes in the bead-beater can lead to loosening of the screws and dislodging of the lid during the vigorous shaking or bead-beating step that can potentially damage the equipment or the sample tubes.
(3) Heat the end of an 18-gauge needle using a Bunsen burner and insert it into the bottom of the screwcap tube ( Figure 2b).

Estimation of Protein Concentration
(1) As samples are prepared using a buffer containing SDS, protein estimation should be performed using the detergent-compatible Bio-Rad Dc assay. Add 5 µL of sample to 20 µL water in a 1.5-mL microfuge tubes. Mix well by pipetting and transfer 5 µL of the diluted sample to 20 µL water in another 1.5-mL microfuge tube. Technical note: If using samples stored at −80 • C (Section 3.2, step 10), thaw samples in a boiling water bath or heat block set >95 • C, then vortex well and centrifuge at 16,363× g at room temperature for 5 min to remove any insoluble particulates or precipitates. Transfer the lysate to a fresh labeled tube before proceeding to protein estimation.
(2) To prepare a reference or protein standard for spectrophotometry, add 10 µL of 20 mg/mL BSA stock to 90 µL water to obtain a 1 µg/µL working solution. Label 6 tubes as follows:  ). This will ensure that the samples migrate uniformly in the gel, and the bands for H2Bub1 or H2B are not stretched or compressed after immunoblotting, (d) Prepare two separate sets or aliquots of the samples. The second set can be used in case a repeat run is needed due to poor transfer of proteins onto the blot or due to other problems during electrophoresis or immunoblotting. (e) To account for possible sample loss during the boiling or pipetting steps, prepare more than will be needed. For example, as shown in Figure 3 step 6, if a sample is to be loaded in two gel lanes, prepare enough for loading 2.5 lanes. (f) In the event that samples must reanalyzed, thaw the frozen lysate quickly in a heat block set at >95 °C. Vortex and spin to remove any precipitates. Measure the protein concentration again using the DC assay and recalculate concentration and volumes needed for preparation of samples for electrophoresis. ). This will ensure that the samples migrate uniformly in the gel, and the bands for H2Bub1 or H2B are not stretched or compressed after immunoblotting, (d) Prepare two separate sets or aliquots of the samples. The second set can be used in case a repeat run is needed due to poor transfer of proteins onto the blot or due to other problems during electrophoresis or immunoblotting. (e) To account for possible sample loss during the boiling or pipetting steps, prepare more than will be needed. For example, as shown in Figure 3 step 6, if a sample is to be loaded in two gel lanes, prepare enough for loading 2.5 lanes. (f) In the event that samples must reanalyzed, thaw the frozen lysate quickly in a heat block set at >95 • C. Vortex and spin to remove any precipitates. Measure the protein concentration again using the DC assay and recalculate concentration and volumes needed for preparation of samples for electrophoresis.

Electrophoretic Separation of Proteins
(1) Set up the gel casting/running unit by assembling the cleaned gel plates along with spacers. Pipet in the gel solution containing 15% acrylamide: bis-acrylamide and SDS. Expedite polymerization by applying isopropanol or ethanol on top of the gel mix to limit exposure to air. After polymerization, discard isopropanol or ethanol, wash it away with water, remove any residual water with a blotting paper. Add the mixture for the stacking gel and insert the comb.

Immunoblot for H2Bub1
(1) Cut four blotting papers and a PVDF membrane to fit the dimensions of the gel. Wet and activate the PVDF membrane in methanol and then place it in transfer buffer. CRITICAL STEP It is important to cut the blotting papers and the PVDF membrane to exactly fit the dimensions of the gel in order to prevent trapping of any air bubbles, which can block the transfer of proteins from the gel onto the membrane.
(2) Disassemble the gel apparatus and remove the gel from the glass plates. Remove the wells and/or the stacking gel and equilibrate the gel in transfer buffer.
(3) In the gel holder cassette, place one fiber pad or sponge prewetted with transfer buffer, two pre-cut, pre-wetted blotting papers, the equilibrated gel, the activated PVDF membrane, the final two additional pre-cut, pre-wetted blotting papers, and the second fiber pad. Technical note: Remove any trapped air bubbles using a gel roller or by gently rolling over the gel-blotting paper sandwich with a plastic pipette.
(4) Close the cassette taking care not to cause any shifts in the gel-blotting paper sandwich. Secure the cassette. Place the cassette in the transfer module. Fill the module with cold Towbin transfer buffer (see Section 5). Add a stir bar to maintain even buffer and ion distribution in the tank. (8) With the stained proteins still visible, use forceps to place the membrane into a p bag and seal two sides using a heat sealer. Use a ruler and a pencil to mark the loca to be cut before probing with a primary antibody (Figure 4a,b).

Technical note:
The Ponceau S stain that remains after washing with water will settle the indentation made by the pencil marking and this will indicate where the memb should be cut into sections before probing with primary antibodies (Figure 4c).
(9) Add 10-15 mL of 5% non-fat dry milk (NFDM) prepared in 1X phosphate buf saline (PBS) to block the membrane to be probed with anti-histone H2B antibody. Us non-fat dry milk prepared in 1XPBS containing 0.05% Tween-20 (PBST) as the bloc agent for all other antibodies. Seal the bag with a heat sealer. Place on a nutating mixe agitate for 1h at room temperature.
(10) During the blocking step, prepare primary antibody in 2.5% or 5% non-fat dry m 1X PBST. Antibody dilutions used for experiments described here are listed in Table   Table 1. Antibody dilutions used.

Antibody Dilution
Anti-Ubiquityl-histone H2B (Lys120) antibody (D11) 1:1000 Anti-histone H2B antibody (Active Motif) 1:1000 (for 20-35 kDa section) Anti-histone H2B antibody (Active Motif) 1:10,000 (for 10-20 kDa section Anti-histone H2B antibody (Active Motif) 1:1000 (for whole blot) With the stained proteins still visible, use forceps to place the membrane into a plastic bag and seal two sides using a heat sealer. Use a ruler and a pencil to mark the locations to be cut before probing with a primary antibody (Figure 4a,b). Technical note: The Ponceau S stain that remains after washing with water will settle into the indentation made by the pencil marking and this will indicate where the membrane should be cut into sections before probing with primary antibodies (Figure 4c). (9) Add 10-15 mL of 5% non-fat dry milk (NFDM) prepared in 1X phosphate buffered saline (PBS) to block the membrane to be probed with anti-histone H2B antibody. Use 5% non-fat dry milk prepared in 1XPBS containing 0.05% Tween-20 (PBST) as the blocking agent for all other antibodies. Seal the bag with a heat sealer. Place on a nutating mixer and agitate for 1 h at room temperature. (10) During the blocking step, prepare primary antibody in 2.5% or 5% non-fat dry milk in 1X PBST. Antibody dilutions used for experiments described here are listed in Table 1.

Quantitation of H2Bub1
(1) To account for any discrepancies in the sample amount applied in each gel lane, the signal intensity obtained for any band in the immunoblot must be normalized to the levels of Ponceau S-stained protein bands in the same membrane. To restain the blot with Ponceau S, wet the dry blot initially in transfer buffer and then wash twice with 1X PBST. Add Ponceau S stain to cover the blot and stain by rocking for 5 min at room temperature in a tabletop orbital or rotatory shaker. Pour the stain back in its storage container and then wash the blot evenly with water until protein bands appear to be uniformly stained. Dry the blot in a hood on paper towel then place it with the protein side facing downwards on a flatbed scanner. Technical Note: As the blots are blocked with non-fat dry milk, the background Ponceau S stain on the blot will be higher that obtained after the initial staining performed in Section 3.5.

Expected Results
Ubiquitination is a labile modification that is rapidly removed by the action of deubiquitinases (DUBs) [32]. Thus, to enable quantification of H2Bub1, yeast cell lysates are prepared using denaturants, such as trichloroacetic acid (TCA), to inactivate the DUBs [33]. As antibodies raised against yeast histone H2B are commercially available, we performed immunoblotting to examine ubiquitination of endogenous histone H2B in cell lysates prepared from mutant S. cerevisiae strains with deregulated H2BK123ub1 (Table S1). H2BK123ub1 was absent in budding yeast mutants lacking one of Rad6, Bre1 or Lge1, which are subunits of the histone H2B ubiquitin-conjugating (HUC) complex, and in a strain with a mutation at the site of monoubiquitination on histone H2B (H2BK123R) (Figure 5a, lanes 2-5). In contrast, H2BK123ub1 levels were increased in null mutants lacking the DUBs Ubp8 and/or Ubp10 (Figure 5a, lanes 6-8). These results obtained using the anti-yeast histone H2B antibody match well with those reported previously using epitope tag-specific antibodies [26,32,34]. Thus, the anti-yeast histone H2B antibody eliminates the need to epitope-tag histone H2B, as it effectively detects histone H2B monoubiquitination in S. cerevisiae acid extracts.
The anti-yeast histone H2B antibody used at 1:1000 dilution provides a very robust signal that appears to be in a non-linear range of detection (Figure 5a, top panel). Additionally, the high abundance of histone H2B seems to compromise the signal for H2BK123ub1 in the wild-type strain (Figure 5a, top panel), probably by 'soaking up' or sequestering the antibody. Furthermore, the anti-yeast histone H2B antibody had cross-reactivity with high-molecular-weight yeast proteins (Figure 5a). To overcome these drawbacks, we probed sections of the membrane with different amounts of the anti-yeast histone H2B antibody (Table 1). When we probed the section of the membrane that contains proteins between 20 and 35 kDa with a 1:1000 dilution antibody, we observed a stronger signal for H2BK123ub1 in the wild-type strain than when probing the whole blot (Figure 5a,b, compare lanes 1). Upon probing the sectioned blot, we also detected the reported diubiquiti-nated species of histone H2B in the ubp8∆ubp10∆ double mutant strain [27] (Figure 5b). We probed the lower section of the membrane that contains proteins between 10-20 kDa with a 1:10,000 dilution of antibody. This enabled us to detect the previously reported decrease in histone H2B levels in the ubp8∆ubp10∆ mutant strain [27,32] (Figure 5a,b). Taken together, these results demonstrate that our sectioned blot probing technique offers higher sensitivity than the probing of the entire membrane and provides signals in a linear range of detection. The anti-yeast histone H2B antibody used at 1:1000 dilution provides a very robust signal that appears to be in a non-linear range of detection (Figure 5a, top panel). Additionally, the high abundance of histone H2B seems to compromise the signal for H2BK123ub1 in the wild-type strain (Figure 5a, top panel), probably by 'soaking up' or sequestering the antibody. Furthermore, the anti-yeast histone H2B antibody had crossreactivity with high-molecular-weight yeast proteins (Figure 5a). To overcome these drawbacks, we probed sections of the membrane with different amounts of the anti-yeast histone H2B antibody (Table 1). When we probed the section of the membrane that contains proteins between 20 and 35 kDa with a 1:1000 dilution antibody, we observed a stronger signal for H2BK123ub1 in the wild-type strain than when probing the whole blot (Figure 5a,b, compare lanes 1). Upon probing the sectioned blot, we also detected the reported diubiquitinated species of histone H2B in the ubp8ubp10 double mutant strain Antibodies that specifically recognize histone H2B K120 or K123 ubiquitination in mammalian or yeast systems, respectively, are commercially available. Using the antihistone H2BK120ub1 antibody (clone D11, Cell Signaling Technology), we obtained robust signals in denatured S. cerevisiae extracts (Figure 5c). This antibody was raised against a synthetic branched peptide corresponding to the K120-ubiquitinated form of human histone H2B. That it recognized the S. cerevisiae H2BK123ub1 is consistent with prior reports [35,36]. Collectively, our results show that both anti-yeast histone H2B and anti-histone H2BK120 ubiquityl antibodies can effectively detect H2BK123ub1 in denatured S. cerevisiae extracts. Compared to the commonly employed full blot probing method, our sectioned blot probing approach when applied with these antibodies provides a cost-effective advantage, as one can use lesser amount of the antibodies and the chemiluminescent detection reagents. Additionally, our approach has a technical advantageous, as sections of the membrane can be used to probe for histone H2B or other yeast proteins and used for Ponceau S dye staining. Thus, once can obtain information on multiple factors from a single experiment.
We also tested the ability of these commercial antibodies to detect histone H2BK119 monoubiquitination (H2BK119ub1) in denatured cell lysates prepared from S. pombe strains. Unlike with the S. cerevisiae extracts (Figures 5 and 6), the anti-yeast histone H2B antibody (Active Motif; 1:1000) yielded high background or cross-reactivity when applied to the S. pombe extracts (Figure 7a, first panel). On the other hand, the anti-histone H2B (S. pombe) antibody from Gene Tex provided a 'clean' result, displaying a highly specific signal without any cross-reactivity (Figure 7a, third panel). Next, we tested the anti-histone H2BK120 ubiquityl antibody, which detected H2BK119ub1 in denatured cell lysates prepared from S. pombe strains (Figure 7a,b). Overall, we find that the anti-human ubiquityl H2BK120 antibody can detect monoubiquitinated histone H2B in both S. cerevisiae and S. pombe systems.
In our studies with S. pombe, we noticed that the H2BK119ub1 levels were reduced in a strain that expresses a C-terminal Flag epitope-tagged histone H2B (HTB1flag) when compared to a strain with untagged histone H2B (HTB1) (Figure 7a). We also observed that the C-terminal epitope-tagging of histone H2B in S. cerevisiae caused an increase in H2BK123ub1 levels when compared to the control strain ( Figure 6c). Surprisingly, probing with the anti-histone H2BK120 ubiquityl antibody showed that H2BK123ub1 levels were reduced in the same strain (Figure 6c), indicating that the C-terminal epitope-tagging of histone H2B impedes antigen recognition by the antibody. Therefore, these results reveal the drawbacks of C-terminal epitope tagging of histone H2B in budding as well as fission yeast model systems. Overall, our results shown in Figures 5-7 together demonstrate the benefits of using antibodies that directly recognize histone H2B or its monoubiquitinated form in the yeast model systems.
To quantitate changes in histone H2B ubiquitination levels, it is important that the signals obtained are in a linear range of detection. Hence, we analyzed a different protein amounts via a two-fold serial dilution of the cell extracts. After gel electrophoresis and electro-transfer, the membrane was sectioned and probed with anti-yeast histone H2B or anti-histone H2BK120 ubiquityl antibody. To account for any discrepancies in protein amounts loaded in gel lanes, the signal for H2Bub1 must be normalized to a loading control in the same sample. As the core constituent of the nucleosome, histone H3 levels are a good loading controls for quantifying histone modifications. However, immunoblotting showed that histone H3 levels were altered in strains deleted for Ubp8 and/or Ubp10 (Figure 6a). Moreover, gene expression analyses also showed that transcripts for various histone genes are altered in yeast mutants lacking the enzymes involved in either conjugating or removing H2BK123ub1 when compared to the control wild-type strain [Chandrasekharan, unpublished observations]. For these reasons, we chose to normalize the signal for H2BK123ub1 from the anti-histone H2BK120 ubiquityl antibody to signals from multiple yeast proteins stained with the Ponceau S dye during densitometry. Our quantitative analyses showed that H2BK123ub1 levels were increased 5-12-fold in the mutant strains (Figure 6a,b), which is in agreement with a previous report [27]. Quantitation of H2BK119ub1 levels in S. pombe strains using signals from the Ponceaus S-stained blot for normalization showed that H2BK119ub1 levels were increased approximately 6-fold in the ubp8∆ null mutant compared to the wild-type strain (Figure 7c), which is similar to the increased observed in the S. cerevisiae ubp8∆ null mutant (Figure 6a). Overall, these results demonstrate that the anti-histone H2BK120 ubiquityl antibody (clone D11, Cell Signaling Technology) specifically recognizes and can be used to quantify histone H2BK119/K123 ubiquitination in budding as well as fission yeast cells.
. Figure 6. (a) Sections of membrane probed with the indicated antibodies to quantify histones H3 or H2B and H2BK123ub1 levels in wild-type (WT) and indicated deubiquitinase mutant S. cerevisiae strains. The antibody dilutions used are listed in Table 1. (b) Quantitation of histones H3 (i) and H2BK123ub1 (ii) levels normalized to Ponceau S stained proteins from two or three independent experiments, respectively. (c) Sections of membrane probed with anti-H2B antibody (1:1000 dilution) (upper), anti-ubiquityl H2BK120 antibody (1:1000) (middle), and stained with Ponceau S (lower) using extracts prepared from S. cerevisiae strains expressing untagged or C-terminal V5 epitope-tagged histone H2B. In summary, employing a serial dilution of denatured protein lysates, a sectioned blot probing approach, and Ponceau S-stained proteins for loading control normalization provides a highly sensitive and effective means for quantitating histone H2B monoubiquitination in the yeast model systems. Figure 7. (a) Samples from extracts prepared from S. pombe strains expressing untagged H2B or Flag-tagged H2B were spearated and transferred onto a PVDF membrane. Shown are whole or sections of membrane probed with anti-histone H2B antibody from Active Motif and from Gene Tex and with anti-H2BK120 ubiquityl antibody. Ponceau S dye-stained sections used for normalization are also shown. Asterisk indicates cross-reacting proteins. (b) Samples from extracts prepared from wild-type S. pombe or strains lacking Ubp8 or Brl1 were separated and transferred to PVDF membrane. Shown are sections of membrane probed with anti-H2B (Gene Tex) or anti-H2BK120 ubiquityl antibody are shown. A section of the membrane stained with Ponceau S used for normalization is also shown. (c) Quantitation of H2BK119ub1 levels in the S. pombe ubp8-null mutant relative to wild-type (WT) strain. Error bars denote standard deviation of the mean from three independent experiments.
In our studies with S. pombe, we noticed that the H2BK119ub1 levels were reduced in a strain that expresses a C-terminal Flag epitope-tagged histone H2B (HTB1flag) when compared to a strain with untagged histone H2B (HTB1) (Figure 7a). We also observed that the C-terminal epitope-tagging of histone H2B in S. cerevisiae caused an increase in H2BK123ub1 levels when compared to the control strain ( Figure 6c). Surprisingly, probing with the anti-histone H2BK120 ubiquityl antibody showed that H2BK123ub1 levels were reduced in the same strain (Figure 6c), indicating that the C-terminal epitope-tagging of histone H2B impedes antigen recognition by the antibody. Therefore, these results reveal the drawbacks of C-terminal epitope tagging of histone H2B in budding as well as  Then, prepare 1 L 1X PBST solution by diluting 100 mL 10X PBS and 5 mL 10% Tween-20 in water. Dissolve 0.5 g non-fat dry milk in 10 mL 1X PBST to prepare 5% blocking solution for the blots. Dilute equal parts of 5% milk stock in 1X PBST to obtain 2.5% milk solution to prepare primary or secondary antibodies solutions. To prepare Towbin transfer buffer, dissolve 57.5 g glycine and 12 g Tris base in water, add 800 mL methanol and 4 mL 10% SDS, and bring to 4 L with water.

Generation of S. cerevisiae Strains
Gene knockouts in budding yeast were created in parental DHY214/DHY217 or their derivatives. The coding region of a target gene was deleted in yeast using PCR products containing the target locus to be disrupted along with the replacement KanMX6 selection cassette amplified from genomic DNA isolated from the respective deletion mutant in Open Biosystem's yeast collection. Alternatively,~40 bp sequences homologous to the promoter and 3 terminator regions of a target gene were amplified using pF6a-KanMX or pAG25 (natMX4) as the template [36]. PCR products containing~40 bp sequences homologous to the 3 -end of the open reading frame minus the stop codon and the 3 terminator regions of HTB1 and HTB2 genes (coding for histone H2B) and additionally containing a V5 epitopetag were amplified using pMC001 as the template (to be described elsewhere). The final single-or double-gene deletion or epitope-tagged strains were created through mating, sporulation, and tetrad dissection. Genotypes of budding and fission yeast strains [37] used in this study are listed in Supplementary Table S1.