Question

What would happen if histones were to be mutated and made rich in acidic amino acids such as aspertic acid and gultamic acid in place of basic amino acids such as lysine and arginine?

Answer 1

If histone proteins were rich in acidic amino acids instead of basic amino acids then they may not have any role in DNA packaging in eukaryotes as DNA is also negatively charged molecule. The packaging of DNA around the nucleosome would not happen. Consequently, the chromatin fibre would not be formed