A novel epigenetic modification regulating telomeric chromatin assembly

H3.3 is a histone H3 variant that is evolutionarily conserved between species. H3.3, found at both active and inactive regions of the chromatin, consists of a unique Serine residue at position 31 and, this residue may be modified. However, the function of the H3.3 Serine 31 modification has only been studied at active regions of the chromatin. Thus, this thesis investigates the function of this H3.3 Serine modification at inactive regions of the chromatin. Mutational studies of the Serine residue showed that the modification was important to regulate proteins from modifying inactive chromatin, providing new insights in inactive chromatin regulation.