histone Any of a group of water-soluble proteins found in association with the DNA of plant and animal chromosomes. They contain a large proportion of the basic (positively charged) amino acids lysine, arginine, and histidine. They are involved in the condensation and coiling of chromosomes during cell division and have also been implicated in nonspecific suppression of gene activity (see chromatin). Histones do not occur in vertebrate sperm cells (see protamine) or in bacteria, although a very similar protein has been found in the genome of the archaebacterium Thermoplasma.

histone One of a group of basic, globular, simple proteins that have a high content of the amino acids arginine and lysine. Histones form part of the chromosomal material of eukaryotic cells and appear to play an important, but as yet incompletely understood, role in gene regulation.

histone One of a group of basic, globular, simple proteins that have a high content of the amino acids arginine and lysine. Histones form part of the chromosomal material of eukaryotic cells and appear to play an important, but as yet incompletely understood, role in gene regulation.

histones Proteins rich in arginine and lysine, soluble in water but not dilute ammonia. They occur mainly in the cell nucleus and are concerned with the regulation of DNA.

histone (hist-ohn) n. a simple protein that combines with a nucleic acid to form a nucleoprotein.