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

Examples of histone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ultimately, the researchers found that PM 2.5 exposure can affect histone patterns in pregnant individuals in a way that disrupts cytokine genes and causes increased inflammation in both parent and child. Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 29 Nov. 2024 Attachment of these markers to DNA helps relax histone proteins, enabling chromatin to open. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 Work in animal models has also shown that exercise changes gene expression by altering both histones and the molecular tags directly attached to DNA. Karla Kaun, Discover Magazine, 26 Jan. 2024 In their new study, scientists at McGill University in Canada, used genetic engineering to alter the activity of one of the histone proteins that controls epigenetic processes – KDM1A histone lysine 4 demethylase – during the production of sperm in mice. Paul Haggarty, Discover Magazine, 13 Oct. 2015 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

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 15 Dec. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!