ScienceAugust 13, 2026
histone
HISS-tohn
Definition
One of a group of basic proteins that associate with DNA in the cell nucleus, helping to condense and package it into structural units called nucleosomes.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek 'histos,' meaning tissue or web, combined with the chemical suffix '-one' for proteins. It was coined in 1884 by Albrecht Kossel to describe the protein components found in cell nuclei.
In the news
In the article, histones are mentioned as key components of nucleosomes that work to regulate access to DNA, specifically suppressing GCN4 protein binding. This demonstrates their fundamental role in genomic organization and the control of gene expression.
Nucleosomes and IDRs suppress promiscuous GCN4 binding on minichromosomes
Read the full article ↗Nature