hH3 — Neurospora crassa

Summary

NCU01635, designated hH3 in Neurospora crassa and located on chromosome 2, encodes a protein with a Histone H3/CENP-A domain and a Histone-fold domain, and is a structural constituent of chromatin. The protein binds nucleosomal DNA, exhibits protein heterodimerization activity, and localizes to the nucleosome, kinetochore, and nucleus. hH3 is associated with kinetochore assembly, mitotic metaphase chromosome alignment, chromatin silencing, methylation, and blue light response. The gene has been linked to numerous cell cycle phenotypes, including delayed progression through mid-anaphase and telophase, decreased S-phase and G2/M transition rates, premature metaphase-to-anaphase transition and meiosis, as well as altered sporulation, mitophagy, vacuolar morphology, and increased transposable element transposition. Associations with decreased hypoosmotic stress resistance, increased gamma ray resistance, and altered nutrient uptake and chemical resistance have also been observed.