nucleosome

[ noo-klee-uh-sohm, nyoo- ]

noun

, Cell Biology.

1. any of the repeating subunits of chromatin occurring at intervals along a strand of DNA, consisting of DNA coiled around histone.

nucleosome

/ ˈnjuːklɪəˌsəʊm /

noun

1. a repeating structural unit of chromatin that contains DNA and histones

nucleosome

/ no̅o̅′klē-ə-sōm′ /

1. Any of the repeating subunits of chromatin in eukaryotic cells, consisting of a DNA chain coiled around a core of histones.
2. See Note at histone

Word History and Origins

Origin of nucleosome¹

First recorded in 1960–65; nucleo- + -some ³

Example Sentences

Their observations confirmed that the structures of archaeal nucleosomes are less fixed.

From Quanta Magazine

As a first step toward those answers, Sandman joined forces several years ago with the structural biologist Karolin Luger, who solved the structure of the eukaryotic nucleosome in 1997.

From Quanta Magazine

Last July, Kurdistani’s team reported that in yeast nucleosomes, there is a catalytic site at the interface of two histone H3 proteins that can bind and electrochemically reduce copper.

From Quanta Magazine

By curving the DNA around the nucleosome, the histones prevent it from clumping together and keep it functional.

From Quanta Magazine

By wrapping the DNA, the nucleosomes keep the DNA safely out of the way.

From Quanta Magazine