Background: Ubiquitin conjugation and deconjugation on histone H2B regulate transcription and pre-mRNA splicing. Results: The splicing factor SART3 binds histones and enhances deubiquitination of H2B by the deubiquitinating enzyme, Usp15. Conclusion: SART3 is a dedicated histone chaperone that cooperates with Usp15 to deubiquitinate free histones. Significance: The coordinated activities of Usp15 and SART3 provide a link between H2B deubiquitination and pre-mRNA splicing.

Histone proteins undergo various types of post-translational modifications (PTMs) to regulate dynamic processes in the cell, including replication, transcription and DNA damage repair. One type of histone PTM is the attachment of a small protein, ubiquitin (Ub). In eukaryotic organisms, a single Ub is attached to specific lysine residues of histones H2A and H2B in a modification that, unlike many other forms of ubiquitination in the cell, does not signal degradation. Instead, both attachment and removal of Ub to these histones has been shown to affect gene transcription, pre-mRNA splicing, and DNA damage repair, but the mechanisms by which histone ubiquitination governs these processes are not well understood. In an effort to identify “readers” of Ub-histones, we developed a straightforward crosslinking strategy to generate nonhydrolyzable Ub-histone mimics. These mimics were assembled into Ub-histone-containing dimers or nucleosomes. We demonstrate that they can be used in pulldown assays to identify proteins that differentiate unmodified and ubiquitinated histones.

A hallmark of the research experience is encountering difficulty and working through those challenges to achieve success. This ability is essential to being a successful scientist, but replicating such challenges in a teaching setting can be difficult. The Genomics Education Partnership (GEP) is a consortium of faculty who engage their students in a genomics Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE). Students participate in genome annotation, generating gene models using multiple lines of experimental evidence. Our observations suggested that the students' learning experience is continuous and recursive, frequently beginning with frustration but eventually leading to success as they come up with defendable gene models. In order to explore our "formative frustration" hypothesis, we gathered data from faculty via a survey, and from students via both a general survey and a set of student focus groups. Upon analyzing these data, we found that all three datasets mentioned frustration and struggle, as well as learning and better understanding of the scientific process. Bioinformatics projects are particularly well suited to the process of iteration and refinement because iterations can be performed quickly and are inexpensive in both time and money. Based on these findings, we suggest that a dynamic of "formative frustration" is an important aspect for a successful CURE.

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) once experienced near-extinction but has since rebounded. For decades, bald eagles near the Wisconsin River, USA, have experienced a lethal syndrome with characteristic clinical and pathological features but unknown etiology. Here, we describe a novel hepacivirus-like virus (Flaviviridae: Hepacivirus) identified during an investigation of Wisconsin River eagle syndrome (WRES). Bald eagle hepacivirus (BeHV) belongs to a divergent clade of avian viruses that share features with members of the genera Hepacivirus and Pegivirus. BeHV infected 31.9% of eagles spanning 4,254 km of the coterminous USA, with negative strand viral RNA demonstrating active replication in liver tissues. Eagles from Wisconsin were approximately 10-fold more likely to be infected than eagles from elsewhere. Eagle mitochondrial DNA sequences were homogeneous and geographically unstructured, likely reflecting a recent population bottleneck, whereas BeHV envelope gene sequences showed strong population genetic substructure and isolation by distance, suggesting localized transmission. Cophylogenetic analyses showed no congruity between eagles and their viruses, supporting horizontal rather than vertical transmission. These results expand our knowledge of the Flaviviridae, reveal a striking pattern of decoupled host/virus coevolution on a continental scale, and highlight knowledge gaps about health and conservation in even the most iconic of wildlife species.

These data indicate that TfR1 expression in serum exosomes may provide a marker for regeneration in anaemic horses.

This article describes the first detections of disease due to natural infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIv) H5N1 of the Eurasian lineage goose/Guangdong clade 2.3.4.4b in wild terrestrial mammals throughout the United States during 2021-2022. Affected mammalian species include 50 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 6 striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), 4 raccoons (Procyon lotor), 2 bobcats (Lynx rufus), 2 Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), 1 coyote (Canis latrans), 1 fisher (Pekania pennanti), and 1 gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus). Infected mammals primarily exhibited neurological signs. Necrotizing meningoencephalitis, interstitial pneumonia, and myocardial necrosis were the most common lesions; however, species variations in lesion distribution were observed. Genotype analysis of sequences from 48 animals indicates that these cases represent spillover infections from wild birds.

Albumin and IgG removal kits optimized for human use have variable efficacy for equine serum. Combined use of the ProteoExtract kit and manual incubation with protein G Sepharose beads provided the most effective depletion.

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