Aurora Kinase B Phosphorylates Histone H3.3 at Serine 31 during Mitosis in Mammalian Cells

Serine 31 of histone H3.3 is phosphorylated during mitosis in mammalian cells and has been shown to influence chromosome segregation. We established a screening system to identify candidate kinase(s) phosphorylating H3.3S31 by using siRNA library targeting 720 human kinases, and we confirmed the results with an independent kinase inhibitor screen. Aurora kinase B was the best candidate hit in both screens. Moreover, the kinase activity of Aurora B on H3.3S31 was biochemically confirmed with nucleosomal substrates in vitro. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.