FB2025_04 , released October 2, 2025
Gene: Dmel\His3.3B
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General Information
Symbol
Dmel\His3.3B
Species
D. melanogaster
Name
Histone H3.3B
Annotation Symbol
CG8989
Feature Type
FlyBase ID
FBgn0004828
Gene Model Status
Stock Availability
Gene Summary
Histone H3.3B (His3.3B) encodes one of two single copy histone H3 variants. His3.3A and His3.3B transcription is not under control of the cell cycle. His3.3B has a long 3'-UTR (> 1500 nucleotides) and can be processed at different polyadenylation sites which are tissue-specific. [Date last reviewed: 2019-03-21] (FlyBase Gene Snapshot)
Also Known As

H3.3, H3.3B, His3.3, histone H3.3, PH3

Key Links
Genomic Location
Cytogenetic map
Sequence location
Recombination map
1-26
RefSeq locus
NC_004354 REGION:9152523..9156669
Sequence
Genomic Maps
Other Genome Views
The following external sites may use different assemblies or annotations than FlyBase.
Function
Gene Ontology (GO) Annotations (7 terms)
Molecular Function (3 terms)
Terms Based on Experimental Evidence (1 term)
CV Term
Evidence
References
Terms Based on Predictions or Assertions (3 terms)
CV Term
Evidence
References
enables DNA binding
non-traceable author statement
inferred from electronic annotation with InterPro:IPR000164, InterPro:IPR007125
Biological Process (1 term)
Terms Based on Experimental Evidence (0 terms)
Terms Based on Predictions or Assertions (1 term)
CV Term
Evidence
References
non-traceable author statement
Cellular Component (3 terms)
Terms Based on Experimental Evidence (2 terms)
CV Term
Evidence
References
part_of nucleosome
inferred from direct assay
inferred from direct assay
Terms Based on Predictions or Assertions (2 terms)
CV Term
Evidence
References
part_of nucleosome
non-traceable author statement
inferred from electronic annotation with InterPro:IPR000164
is_active_in nucleus
inferred from biological aspect of ancestor with PANTHER:PTN008517671
Gene Group (FlyBase)
Protein Family (UniProt)
Belongs to the histone H3 family. (C0HL67)
Summaries
Gene Snapshot
Histone H3.3B (His3.3B) encodes one of two single copy histone H3 variants. His3.3A and His3.3B transcription is not under control of the cell cycle. His3.3B has a long 3'-UTR (> 1500 nucleotides) and can be processed at different polyadenylation sites which are tissue-specific. [Date last reviewed: 2019-03-21]
Protein Function (UniProtKB)
Variant histone H3 which replaces conventional H3 in a wide range of nucleosomes in active genes and is specifically enriched in modifications associated with active chromatin. Constitutes the predominant form of histone H3 in non-dividing cells and is incorporated into chromatin independently of DNA synthesis. Deposited at sites of nucleosomal displacement throughout transcribed genes, suggesting that it represents an epigenetic imprint of transcriptionally active chromatin. Nucleosomes wrap and compact DNA into chromatin, limiting DNA accessibility to the cellular machineries which require DNA as a template. Histones thereby play a central role in transcription regulation, DNA repair, DNA replication and chromosomal stability. DNA accessibility is regulated via a complex set of post-translational modifications of histones, also called histone code, and nucleosome remodeling.
(UniProt, C0HL67)
Gene Model and Products
Number of Transcripts
4
Number of Unique Polypeptides
1

Please see the JBrowse view of Dmel\His3.3B for information on other features

To submit a correction to a gene model please use the Contact FlyBase form

Protein Domains (via Pfam)
Isoform displayed:
Pfam protein domains
InterPro name
classification
start
end
Protein Domains (via SMART)
Isoform displayed:
SMART protein domains
InterPro name
classification
start
end
Structure
Protein 3D structure   (Predicted by AlphaFold)   (AlphaFold entry C0HL67)

If you don't see a structure in the viewer, refresh your browser.
Model Confidence:
  • Very high (pLDDT > 90)
  • Confident (90 > pLDDT > 70)
  • Low (70 > pLDDT > 50)
  • Very low (pLDDT < 50)

AlphaFold produces a per-residue confidence score (pLDDT) between 0 and 100. Some regions with low pLDDT may be unstructured in isolation.

Experimentally Determined Structures
Crossreferences
Comments on Gene Model

Low-frequency RNA-Seq exon junction(s) not annotated.

Gene model reviewed during 5.46

Annotated transcripts do not represent all supported alternative splices within 5' UTR.

Gene model reviewed during 5.50

Transcript Data
Annotated Transcripts
Name
FlyBase ID
RefSeq ID
Length (nt)
Assoc. CDS (aa)
FBtr0071345
1399
136
FBtr0071346
1537
136
FBtr0071347
1519
136
FBtr0340343
2114
136
Additional Transcript Data and Comments
Reported size (kB)

2.4, 1.7, 0.9 (northern blot)

Comments
External Data
Crossreferences
Polypeptide Data
Annotated Polypeptides
Name
FlyBase ID
Predicted MW (kDa)
Length (aa)
Theoretical pI
UniProt
RefSeq ID
GenBank
FBpp0071280
15.3
136
11.83
FBpp0071281
15.3
136
11.83
FBpp0071282
15.3
136
11.83
Polypeptides with Identical Sequences

The group(s) of polypeptides indicated below share identical sequence to each other.

Additional Polypeptide Data and Comments
Reported size (kDa)
Comments

His3.3A protein and His3.3B protein are identical in amino acid sequence. The genes differ substantially in their untranslated regions.

External Data
Subunit Structure (UniProtKB)

The nucleosome is a histone octamer containing two molecules each of H2A, H2B, H3 and H4 assembled in one H3-H4 heterotetramer and two H2A-H2B heterodimers. The octamer wraps approximately 147 bp of DNA. Interacts with Daxx (via C-terminus) (PubMed:28320872). Interacts with Nasp (PubMed:36930688).

(UniProt, C0HL67)
Post Translational Modification

Phosphorylation at Ser-11 by aurB/ial during mitosis and meiosis is crucial for chromosome condensation and cell-cycle progression. Phosphorylation at Ser-11 by JIL-1 during interphase is linked to gene activation and restricts the formation of heterochromatin at inappropriate sites. Phosphorylation at Ser-11 is enriched on male X chromosome compared to the autosome.

Acetylation is generally linked to gene activation. Acetylated on Lys-15 during prophase I of meiosis. Phosphorylation of H2A 'Thr-119' is a prerequisite for H3 Lys-15 acetylation. Acetylation on Lys-15 is enriched on male X chromosome compared to the autosome.

Methylation at Lys-5 or Lys-80 is generally associated with active chromatin. Methylation at Lys-80 by gpp occurs at low levels in specific developmental stages and tissues undergoing active cell division, and at highest levels in epidermal cells undergoing differentiation.

(UniProt, C0HL67)
Crossreferences
InterPro - A database of protein families, domains and functional sites
Linkouts
Sequences Consistent with the Gene Model
Nucleotide / Polypeptide Records
 
Mapped Features

Click to get a list of regulatory features (enhancers, TFBS, etc.) and gene disruptions (point mutations, indels, etc.) within or overlapping Dmel\His3.3B using the Feature Mapper tool.

External Data
Crossreferences
Eukaryotic Promoter Database - A collection of databases of experimentally validated promoters for selected model organisms.
Linkouts
Expression Data
Testis-specificity index

The testis specificity index was calculated from modENCODE tissue expression data by Vedelek et al., 2018 to indicate the degree of testis enrichment compared to other tissues. Scores range from -2.52 (underrepresented) to 5.2 (very high testis bias).

-0.88

Transcript Expression
northern blot
Stage
Tissue/Position (including subcellular localization)
Reference
Additional Descriptive Data
Marker for
 
Subcellular Localization
CV Term
Polypeptide Expression
No Assay Recorded
Stage
Tissue/Position (including subcellular localization)
Reference
mass spectroscopy
Stage
Tissue/Position (including subcellular localization)
Reference
Additional Descriptive Data

Antibodies against His3.3 protein stain uniformly over the polytene chromosomes. His3.3 protein staining is seen in meiotic prophase chromatin of primary spermatocytes. One or two strongly staining foci were observed in each nucleus. The distribution of label coincides with the location of some of the Y-chromosomal lampbrush loops. At this stage His3 protein is observed mainly in the autosomal chromatin. In postmeiotic stages, His3.3 protein is observed in the protein body while the His3 protein is found mainly in the chromatin. During spermatid elongation, His3.3 protein is deposited in chromatin. At subsequent stages no major differences were observed in the distribution of His3 protein and His3.3 protein. In post-elongation spermatid cysts, the pattern of staining changes from an even distribution to a dispersed pattern. In mature sperm, no staining is observed.

Marker for
 
Subcellular Localization
CV Term
Evidence
References
part_of nucleosome
inferred from direct assay
inferred from direct assay
Expression Deduced from Reporters
High-Throughput Expression Data
Associated Tools

JBrowse - Visual display of RNA-Seq signals

View Dmel\His3.3B in JBrowse
RNA-Seq by Region - Search RNA-Seq expression levels by exon or genomic region
Reference
See Gelbart and Emmert, 2013 for analysis details and data files for all genes.
Developmental Proteome: Life Cycle
Developmental Proteome: Embryogenesis
External Data and Images
Linkouts
DRscDB - A single-cell RNA-seq resource for data mining and data comparison across species
EMBL-EBI Single Cell Expression Atlas - Single cell expression across species
FlyAtlas - Adult expression by tissue, using Affymetrix Dros2 array
FlyAtlas2 - A Drosophila melanogaster expression atlas with RNA-Seq, miRNA-Seq and sex-specific data
Fly-FISH - A database of Drosophila embryo and larvae mRNA localization patterns
Flygut - An atlas of the Drosophila adult midgut
Images
Alleles, Insertions, Transgenic Constructs, and Aberrations
Classical and Insertion Alleles ( 12 )
For All Classical and Insertion Alleles Show
 
Other relevant insertions
Transgenic Constructs ( 22 )
For All Alleles Carried on Transgenic Constructs Show
Transgenic constructs containing/affecting coding region of His3.3B
Transgenic constructs containing regulatory region of His3.3B
Aberrations (Deficiencies and Duplications) ( 0 )
Variants
Variant Molecular Consequences
Alleles Representing Disease-Implicated Variants
Phenotypes
Orthologs
Human Orthologs (via DIOPT v9.1)
Species\Gene Symbol
Score
Best Score
Best Reverse Score
Alignment
Complementation?
Transgene?
Homo sapiens (Human) (21)
12 of 14
Yes
Yes
17  
6 of 14
No
No
6 of 14
No
No
5 of 14
No
No
5 of 14
No
No
5 of 14
No
No
4 of 14
No
Yes
3 of 14
No
Yes
2 of 14
No
No
2 of 14
No
No
1  
1 of 14
No
No
1  
1 of 14
No
No
2  
1 of 14
No
No
2  
1 of 14
No
No
1  
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
2  
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
2  
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
Model Organism Orthologs (via DIOPT v9.1)
Species\Gene Symbol
Score
Best Score
Best Reverse Score
Alignment
Complementation?
Transgene?
Rattus norvegicus (Norway rat) (18)
11 of 14
Yes
Yes
7 of 14
No
No
6 of 14
No
No
6 of 14
No
No
5 of 14
No
Yes
3 of 14
No
Yes
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
Yes
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
Yes
1 of 14
No
Yes
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
Yes
1 of 14
No
Yes
1 of 14
No
Yes
Mus musculus (laboratory mouse) (18)
10 of 14
Yes
Yes
6 of 14
No
No
6 of 14
No
No
6 of 14
No
Yes
2 of 14
No
No
2 of 14
No
No
2 of 14
No
No
2 of 14
No
No
2 of 14
No
No
2 of 14
No
No
2 of 14
No
No
2 of 14
No
No
2 of 14
No
No
2 of 14
No
No
2 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
Yes
1 of 14
No
Yes
Xenopus tropicalis (Western clawed frog) (7)
9 of 13
Yes
Yes
4 of 13
No
No
3 of 13
No
Yes
2 of 13
No
No
2 of 13
No
No
1 of 13
No
No
1 of 13
No
No
Danio rerio (Zebrafish) (6)
9 of 14
Yes
Yes
5 of 14
No
No
5 of 14
No
Yes
4 of 14
No
No
3 of 14
No
Yes
2 of 14
No
No
Caenorhabditis elegans (Nematode, roundworm) (23)
11 of 14
Yes
Yes
8 of 14
No
Yes
8 of 14
No
Yes
6 of 14
No
No
5 of 14
No
No
3 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
1 of 14
No
No
Anopheles gambiae (African malaria mosquito) (6)
10 of 12
Yes
Yes
Arabidopsis thaliana (thale-cress) (8)
7 of 13
Yes
No
6 of 13
No
No
6 of 13
No
No
5 of 13
No
No
4 of 13
No
No
3 of 13
No
No
2 of 13
No
No
1 of 13
No
No
Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Brewer's yeast) (3)
9 of 13
Yes
Yes
1 of 13
No
No
1  
1 of 13
No
No
Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Fission yeast) (4)
9 of 12
Yes
Yes
2 of 12
No
No
2 of 12
No
No
1 of 12
No
No
Escherichia coli (enterobacterium) (0)
Other Organism Orthologs (via OrthoDB)
Data provided directly from OrthoDB:His3.3B. Refer to their site for version information.
Paralogs
Paralogs (via DIOPT v9.1)
Drosophila melanogaster (Fruit fly) (25)
11 of 13
4 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
2 of 13
Human Disease Associations
FlyBase Human Disease Model Reports
    Disease Ontology (DO) Annotations
    Models Based on Experimental Evidence ( 0 )
    Allele
    Disease
    Evidence
    References
    Potential Models Based on Orthology ( 1 )
    Human Ortholog
    Disease
    Evidence
    References
    Modifiers Based on Experimental Evidence ( 0 )
    Allele
    Disease
    Interaction
    References
    Disease Associations of Human Orthologs (via DIOPT v9.1 and OMIM)
    Note that ortholog calls supported by only 1 or 2 algorithms (DIOPT score < 3) are not shown.
    Functional Complementation Data
    Functional complementation data is computed by FlyBase using a combination of the orthology data obtained from DIOPT and OrthoDB and the allele-level genetic interaction data curated from the literature.
    Interactions
    Summary of Physical Interactions
    Summary of Genetic Interactions
    Interaction Browsers

    Please look at the allele data for full details of the genetic interactions
    Starting gene(s)
    Interaction type
    Interacting gene(s)
    Reference
    Starting gene(s)
    Interaction type
    Interacting gene(s)
    Reference
    External Data
    Subunit Structure (UniProtKB)
    The nucleosome is a histone octamer containing two molecules each of H2A, H2B, H3 and H4 assembled in one H3-H4 heterotetramer and two H2A-H2B heterodimers. The octamer wraps approximately 147 bp of DNA. Interacts with Daxx (via C-terminus) (PubMed:28320872). Interacts with Nasp (PubMed:36930688).
    (UniProt, C0HL67 )
    Linkouts
    BioGRID - A database of protein and genetic interactions.
    DroID - A comprehensive database of gene and protein interactions.
    MIST (protein-protein) - An integrated Molecular Interaction Database
    Pathways
    Class of Gene
    Genomic Location and Detailed Mapping Data
    Chromosome (arm)
    X
    Recombination map
    1-26
    Cytogenetic map
    Sequence location
    FlyBase Computed Cytological Location
    Cytogenetic map
    Evidence for location
    8C14-8C14
    Limits computationally determined from genome sequence between P{EP}EP1450&P{EP}EP1356 and P{EP}EP912EP912
    Experimentally Determined Cytological Location
    Cytogenetic map
    Notes
    References
    8C-8D
    (determined by in situ hybridisation)
    Position at variance with that in FBrf0082998.
    Experimentally Determined Recombination Data
    Location
    Left of (cM)
    Right of (cM)
    Notes
    Stocks and Reagents
    Stocks (9)
    Genomic Clones (17)
     

    Please Note FlyBase no longer curates genomic clone accessions so this list may not be complete

    cDNA Clones (349)
     

    Please Note This section lists cDNAs and ESTs that fall within the genomic extent of the gene model, which may include cDNAs and ESTs of genes within introns, or of overlapping genes. Please see JBrowse for alignment of the cDNAs and ESTs to the gene model.

    cDNA clones, fully sequenced
    BDGP DGC clones
    Other clones
      Drosophila Genomics Resource Center cDNA clones

      For each fully sequenced cDNA the DGRC maintains various forms of the cDNA (e.g tagged or untagged) in several different host vectors for subsequent cloning and expression in Drosophila and Drosophila cell lines.

      cDNA Clones, End Sequenced (ESTs)
      Other clones
      RNAi and Array Information
      Linkouts
      DRSC - Results frm RNAi screens
      Antibody Information
      Laboratory Generated Antibodies
       
      Commercially Available Antibodies
       
      Cell Line Information
      Publicly Available Cell Lines
       
        Other Stable Cell Lines
         
          Other Comments

          The canonical "H3.2" histone (His3, present in multiple copies in the genome as part of the repeating histone gene unit) and variant "His3.3" histone (encoded by His3.3A and His3.3B) forms can functionally replace each other. Cells are able to divide and differentiate when H3.2 is entirely absent but is replaced by S phase-expressed His3.3.

          Cells that contain a non-methylatable residue instead of K4 in all canonical and variant H3 genes are competent to respond to major developmental signaling pathways by activating target gene expression, although their proliferative capacity is slowed down relative to wild type.

          His3.3B has been cloned and sequenced.

          The histone H3.3 replacement variant is encoded by two genes, His3.3A and His3.3B, in D.melanogaster. These genes encode exactly the same protein but are widely divergent in their untranslated regions.

          Isolated from a D.melanogaster embryo cDNA library using a chicken H3.3B clone as a probe.

          A His3.3B cDNA has been cloned and sequenced.

          Encodes a Histone-H3 variant.

          Relationship to Other Genes
          Source for database merge of

          Source for merge of: His3.3B anon- EST:fe1B6

          Additional comments
          Nomenclature History
          Source for database identify of

          Source for identity of: His3.3B CG8989

          Nomenclature comments
          Etymology
          Synonyms and Secondary IDs (19)
          Reported As
          Symbol Synonym
          HisH3-3Q
          anon-EST:fe1B6
          Name Synonyms
          Histone H3-3Q
          Histone H3.3B
          anon-fast-evolving-1B6
          histone variant 3.3
          histone variant H3.3
          Secondary FlyBase IDs
          • FBgn0025266
          Datasets (0)
          Study focus (0)
          Experimental Role
          Project
          Project Type
          Title
          Study result (0)
          Result
          Result Type
          Title
          External Crossreferences and Linkouts ( 68 )
          Sequence Crossreferences
          NCBI Gene - Gene integrates information from a wide range of species. A record may include nomenclature, Reference Sequences (RefSeqs), maps, pathways, variations, phenotypes, and links to genome-, phenotype-, and locus-specific resources worldwide.
          GenBank Nucleotide - A collection of sequences from several sources, including GenBank, RefSeq, TPA, and PDB.
          GenBank Protein - A collection of sequences from several sources, including translations from annotated coding regions in GenBank, RefSeq and TPA, as well as records from SwissProt, PIR, PRF, and PDB.
          RefSeq - A comprehensive, integrated, non-redundant, well-annotated set of reference sequences including genomic, transcript, and protein.
          UniProt/GCRP - The gene-centric reference proteome (GCRP) provides a 1:1 mapping between genes and UniProt accessions in which a single 'canonical' isoform represents the product(s) of each protein-coding gene.
          UniProt/Swiss-Prot - Manually annotated and reviewed records of protein sequence and functional information
          Other crossreferences
          AlphaFold DB - AlphaFold provides open access to protein structure predictions for the human proteome and other key proteins of interest, to accelerate scientific research.
          DRscDB - A single-cell RNA-seq resource for data mining and data comparison across species
          EMBL-EBI Single Cell Expression Atlas - Single cell expression across species
          FlyAtlas2 - A Drosophila melanogaster expression atlas with RNA-Seq, miRNA-Seq and sex-specific data
          FlyMine - An integrated database for Drosophila genomics
          InterPro - A database of protein families, domains and functional sites
          KEGG Genes - Molecular building blocks of life in the genomic space.
          MARRVEL_MODEL - MARRVEL (model organism gene)
          Linkouts
          BioGRID - A database of protein and genetic interactions.
          Drosophila Genomics Resource Center - Drosophila Genomics Resource Center (DGRC) cDNA clones
          DroID - A comprehensive database of gene and protein interactions.
          DRSC - Results frm RNAi screens
          Eukaryotic Promoter Database - A collection of databases of experimentally validated promoters for selected model organisms.
          FlyAtlas - Adult expression by tissue, using Affymetrix Dros2 array
          FlyCyc Genes - Genes from a BioCyc PGDB for Dmel
          Fly-FISH - A database of Drosophila embryo and larvae mRNA localization patterns
          Flygut - An atlas of the Drosophila adult midgut
          FlyMet - A comprehensive tissue-specific metabolomics resource for Drosophila.
          iBeetle-Base - RNAi phenotypes in the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum)
          MIST (protein-protein) - An integrated Molecular Interaction Database
          References (136)