Which histone protein keeps the DNA wrapped around the histone core in a nucleosome?

Which histone protein keeps the DNA wrapped around the histone core in a nucleosome?

• A. H2A
• B. H3
• C. H4
• D. H1

Answer: (D)

H1 is the player that holds the wrapped DNA in place. In a nucleosome, DNA wraps around a core made of two copies each of H2A, H2B, H3, and H4. H1, the linker histone, binds to the DNA as it enters and exits the nucleosome and helps lock that DNA onto the histone core, promoting tighter chromatin folding. The core histones form the octamer itself, but it’s H1 that stabilizes the wrapped DNA at the entry/exit points and drives higher-order structure.

H1 is the player that holds the wrapped DNA in place. In a nucleosome, DNA wraps around a core made of two copies each of H2A, H2B, H3, and H4. H1, the linker histone, binds to the DNA as it enters and exits the nucleosome and helps lock that DNA onto the histone core, promoting tighter chromatin folding. The core histones form the octamer itself, but it’s H1 that stabilizes the wrapped DNA at the entry/exit points and drives higher-order structure.