Question

What is the function of histones in DNA packaging?

Answer 1

• Histones are the proteins present in eukaryotes, which are highly alkaline by nature.
• In chromatin, they functions as spindles that hold the DNA strands in the place. These highly conserved DNA-histone complexes are known as “Nucleosomes”, which are essential for the replication of genetic material (DNA).
• There are two major functions of histones:

1. It compact DNA strands, 40,000 shorter than an unpacked molecule.
2. They undergo post translation modification that alters the interaction between DNA and nuclear proteins. This type of modification also follows chromatin regulations through some biological processes such as: gene regulation, meiosis, mitosis and DNA repair.