Term: histones https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.H02829 Definition: A class of basic proteins associated with DNA in the chromosomes of eukaryotic cells forming the nucleosome as the basic subunit of chromatin. They contain an unusually large proportion of the basic amino acids arginine and lysine. Related Terms: 1) proteins (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.P04898). 2) chromosomes (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01077). Source: PAC, 1992, 64, 143. 'Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992)' on page 156 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199264010143) Citation: 'histones' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.H02829 License: The IUPAC Gold Book is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike CC BY-SA 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) for individual terms. Disclaimer: The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is continuously reviewing and, where needed, updating terms in the Compendium of Chemical Terminology (the IUPAC Gold Book). Users of these terms are encouraged to include the version of a term with its use and to check regularly for updates to term definitions that you are using.