histone

noun

his·​tone ˈhi-ˌstōn 

: any of various simple water-soluble proteins that are rich in the basic amino acids lysine and arginine and are complexed with DNA in the nucleosomes of eukaryotic chromatin

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The histone in question is one known as PRDM2. —Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 11 Oct. 2022

It is controlled by methylation changes to CpG islands on promoter regions, the remodeling of chromatin using histone modifications, and the alteration of gene expression through non-coding RNA expression. —Salvatore Viscomi, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2023

Additionally, a variety of epigenetic changes (mediated, for example, by DNA methylation, histone modification and transfer of non-coding RNAs) also appear to increase with advancing maternal age (ref & ref). —Grrlscientist, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2022

By binding to the H3 histone, serotonin and dopamine can regulate transcription of DNA into RNA and, as a consequence, the synthesis of specific proteins from them. —Quanta Magazine, 27 Oct. 2020

In the nucleus, DNA is bound to proteins called histones to make a complex called chromatin, which in turn forms chromosomes. —Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, 27 July 2017

Word History

Etymology

German Histon

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

histone

noun

his·​tone ˈhis-ˌtōn 

: any of various simple water-soluble proteins that are rich in the basic amino acids lysine and arginine and are complexed with DNA in the nucleosomes of eukaryotic chromatin