The JIL-1 tandem kinase mediates histone H3 phosphorylation and is required for maintenance of chromatin structure in Drosophila.
To analyze the function of the chromosomal kinase JIL-1, we generated an allelic series of hypomorphic and null mutations. JIL-1 is an essential kinase for viability, and reduced levels of JIL-1 kinase activity lead to a global change in chromatin structure. In JIL-1 hypomorphs, euchromatic regions of polytene chromosomes are severely reduced and the chromosome arms condensed. This is correlated with decreased levels of histone H3 Ser10 phosphorylation. These levels can be restored by a JIL-1 transgene placing JIL-1 directly in the pathway mediating histone H3 phosphorylation. We propose a model where JIL-1 kinase activity is required for maintaining the structure of the more open chromatin regions that facilitate gene transcription.
Wang
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Department of Zoology and Genetics, 3154 Molecular Biology Building, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.
Zhang
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Jin
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Johansen
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J
Johansen
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KM
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism*; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007814:Larva / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D010766:Phosphorylation; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012728:Sex Chromatin / Q000201:enzymology*; D012730:Sex Chromosomes / Q000502:physiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D019076:Transgenes / Q000502:physiology
D006657:Histones; D019476:Insect Proteins; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases