Histone phosphorylation and chromatin dynamics

Abstract

Histone posttranslational modifications are key components of crucial steps in controlling eukaryotic genomes. These modifications, including reversible acetylation, phosphorylation and methylation, function as signals during various chromatin-related events such as replication, repair, recombination, and transcription. Among the histone posttranslational modifications, histone phosphorylation is believed to play a critical role both in chromatin condensation during mitosis and transcriptional activation of poised genes in a different context, which appears contradictory. However, definitive roles for histone phosphorylation in these processes have not yet been elucidated. In this chapter, we discuss recent progress in studies of histone phosphorylation.