Regulation of chromatin structure by histone H3S10 phosphorylation.

The epigenetic phospho-serine 10 modification of histone H3 has been a puzzle due to its association with two apparently opposed chromatin states. It is found at elevated levels on the highly condensed, transcriptionally inactive mitotic chromosomes yet is also correlated with the more extended chromatin configuration of active genes, euchromatic interband regions, and activated heat shock puffs of Drosophila polytene chromosomes. In addition, phosphorylation of histone H3S10 is up-regulated on the hypertranscribed male X chromosome. Here we review the cellular effects of histone H3S10 phosphorylation and discuss a model for its involvement in regulating chromatin organization and heterochromatization that would be applicable to both interphase and mitotic chromosomes.