histone

noun

his·​tone ˈhi-ˌstōn How to pronounce histone (audio)
: 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'histone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

German Histon

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of histone was in 1885

Dictionary Entries Near histone

Cite this Entry

“Histone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/histone. Accessed 2 Jun. 2023.

Medical Definition

histone

noun
his·​tone ˈhis-ˌtōn How to pronounce histone (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on histone

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