The role of deubiquitinating enzymes in chromatin regulation

Post-translational modifications of the histones are centrally involved in the regulation of all DNA-templated processes, including gene transcription, DNA replication, recombination, and repair. These modifications are often dynamic, and their removal is just as important as their addition in proper regulation of cellular functions. Although histone acetylation/deacetylation and histone methylation/demethylation are highly studied, the functions and regulation of histone ubiquitination and deubiquitination are less well understood. This review highlights our current understanding of how histone ubiquitination impacts gene transcription, DNA repair, and cell cycle progression, and stresses the importance of deubiquitinases to normal cellular functions as well as to disease states such as cancer.