Enables histone kinase activity (H3-T11 specific). Involved in epigenetic maintenance of chromatin in transcription-competent conformation; regulation of histone H3-K9 acetylation; and regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter in response to UV-induced DNA damage. Acts upstream of or within several processes, including DNA damage checkpoint signaling; G2/M transition of mitotic cell cycle; and inner cell mass cell proliferation. Located in chromatin; nucleus; and replication fork. Is expressed in several structures, including adrenal medulla; early conceptus; gonad; gut; and trunk mesenchyme derived from neural crest. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in pancreatic cancer. Orthologous to human CHEK1 (checkpoint kinase 1). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]