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Glite Dictionary
core histone

core histone

8.3
A protein that DNA wraps around inside cells
  • noun
  • /kɔr ˈhɪstoʊn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : histona central
  • The core histone proteins play a crucial role in the organization of chromatin.

Examples

  • Scientists identified modifications on each core histone during their experiments.

  • The core histone proteins play a crucial role in DNA packaging.

  • Mutations in a core histone can disrupt normal gene expression.

  • Each core histone has a specific function in chromatin structure.

  • The core histone proteins play a crucial role in the packaging of DNA into chromatin.

  • Each nucleosome consists of DNA wrapped around a core histone, creating a structure essential for gene regulation.

  • Mutations in core histone genes can lead to significant changes in chromatin dynamics and gene expression.

Surface Forms

core histone singular
core histones plural

Morphology

core + histone

The phrase is a straightforward modifier+noun combination: 'core' (= central) plus 'histone' (= DNA‑packaging protein), so its meaning as the central histone proteins in the nucleosome is directly derivable from the constituents. Although the term is technical, it follows regular English composition patterns (and has clear equivalents in other languages), so a learner who knows both words can infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Core histone combines core meaning 'central part' and histone meaning 'a protein', so imagine a small bead or spool that DNA wraps around like 'beads on a string'. So, core histones are the central proteins that DNA wraps around to help 'organize' and control genes.