Histones are exosome membrane proteins regulated by cell stress (Updated July 29, 2024).

Histones are nuclear proteins that play a role in regulating chromatin structure and gene expression. Recent research suggests that extracellular histones, which are found in biofluids, may contribute to various diseases when elevated. This study analyzed cell culture models and found that histones are secreted via extracellular vesicles (EVs) and the exosome pathway, particularly in response to cellular stress. The histones associated with EVs were found to lack extensive post-translational modifications, suggesting that these modifications may be involved in their trafficking or secretion. This discovery opens up avenues for further investigation into the biological activity of exosome-associated histones and their role in disease. [Extracted from the article]