SUMMARY Class switch recombination (CSR) requires activation-induced deaminase (AID) to instigate double-stranded DNA breaks at the immunoglobulin locus. DNA breaks activate the DNA damage response (DDR) by inducing phosphorylation of histone H2AX followed by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair. We carried out a genome-wide screen to identify CSR factors. We found that Usp22, Eny2, and Atxn7, members of the Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltransferase (SAGA) deubiquitination module, are required for deubiquitination of H2BK120ub following DNA damage, are critical for CSR, and function downstream of AID. The SAGA deubiquitinase activity was required for optimal irradiation-induced γH2AX formation, and failure to remove H2BK120ub inhibits ATM- and DNAPK-induced γH2AX formation. Consistent with this effect, these proteins were found to function upstream of various double-stranded DNA repair pathways. This report demonstrates that deubiquitination of histone H2B impacts the early stages of the DDR and is required for the DNA repair phase of CSR.

It is estimated that in 2017 there were 451 million people with diabetes worldwide. These figures are expected to increase to 693 million by 2045; thus, innovative preventative programs and treatments are a necessity to fight this escalating pandemic disorder. Caveolin-1 (CAV1), an integral membrane protein, is the principal component of caveolae in membranes and is involved in multiple cellular functions such as endocytosis, cholesterol homeostasis, signal transduction, and mechanoprotection. Previous studies demonstrated that CAV1 is critical for insulin receptor-mediated signaling, insulin secretion, and potentially the development of insulin resistance. Here, we summarize the recent progress on the role of CAV1 in diabetes and diabetic complications.

COVID-19 is challenging healthcare preparedness, world economies, and livelihoods. The infection and death rates associated with this pandemic are strikingly variable in different countries. To elucidate this discrepancy, we analyzed 2431 early spread SARS-CoV-2 sequences from GISAID. We estimated continental-wise admixture proportions, assessed haplotype block estimation, and tested for the presence or absence of strains’ recombination. Herein, we identified 1010 unique missense mutations and seven different SARS-CoV-2 clusters. In samples from Asia, a small haplotype block was identified, whereas samples from Europe and North America harbored large and different haplotype blocks with nonsynonymous variants. Variant frequency and linkage disequilibrium varied among continents, especially in North America. Recombination between different strains was only observed in North American and European sequences. In addition, we structurally modelled the two most common mutations, Spike_D614G and Nsp12_P314L, which suggested that these linked mutations may enhance viral entry and replication, respectively. Overall, we propose that genomic recombination between different strains may contribute to SARS-CoV-2 virulence and COVID-19 severity and may present additional challenges for current treatment regimens and countermeasures. Furthermore, our study provides a possible explanation for the substantial second wave of COVID-19 presented with higher infection and death rates in many countries.

Class switch recombination (CSR) plays an important role in adaptive immune response by enabling mature B cells to switch from IgM expression to the expression of downstream isotypes. CSR is preceded by inducible germline (GL) transcription of the constant genes and is controlled by the 3′ regulatory region (3′RR) in a stimulus-dependent manner. Why the 3′RR-mediated upregulation of GL transcription is delayed to the mature B-cell stage is presently unknown. Here we show that mice devoid of an inducible CTCF binding element, located in the α constant gene, display a marked isotype-specific increase of GL transcription in developing and resting splenic B cells and altered CSR in activated B cells. Moreover, insertion of a GL promoter downstream of the CTCF insulator led to premature activation of the ectopic promoter. This study provides functional evidence that the 3′RR has a developmentally controlled potential to constitutively activate GL promoters but that this activity is delayed, at least in part, by the CTCF insulator, which borders a transcriptionally active domain established by the 3′RR in developing B cells. E xpression of complex loci is developmentally programmed or induced by specific stimuli and is often controlled by distant regulatory elements within relatively large chromatin domains. Transcriptional and architectural factors play an important role in the establishment and maintenance of these domains and facilitate long-range interactions between regulatory elements and target promoters (1, 2). The Ig heavy chain (IgH) locus is expressed in a lineage-and developmental stage-dependent manner. Various cis-acting elements including promoters, enhancers, and insulators control IgH locus expression and are engaged in multiple long-range interactions (3, 4).Factors such as YY1, PAX5, IKAROS, CTCF, and Cohesin play important roles in various aspects of long-range events at the IgH locus, including V(D)J recombination, CSR, and promoter/enhancer and enhancer/enhancer interactions (3-6). Multiple CTCF binding elements (CBEs) were reported along the IgH locus. The majority of these CBEs lie within the variable domain (7), and two CBEs were identified within the V H -D intergenic region (7-9). At the 3′ end of the locus, ∼10 CBEs were identified downstream of the 3′RR and are thought to delineate the 3′ border of the IgH locus (10). More recently, a discrete CBE was identified within the α constant gene (11), but its role in vivo is presently unknown.Upon antigen challenge, mature B cells can undergo CSR that allows B cells to change the heavy-chain constant domain of an IgM to IgG, IgE, or IgA. CSR to a particular isotype is induced by specific external stimuli, including antigens, mitogens, cytokines, and intercellular interactions. CSR is mediated by highly repetitive sequences called switch (S) sequences located upstream of the constant exons and is preceded by germline (GL) transcription of the S sequences that originates from GL promoters, named I promoters (12).The 3′RR is composed of four enhance...