Drug pipeline
Full profile accessExplore the programs pursuing this target and their development progress.
- Drug candidates
- Developers
- Development stage
Target intelligence / Profile preview
Histone H3, Histone H4, Histone H2B (H3, H4, H2B)
- Target
- H3, H4, H2B
- Molecular classification
- Histone, DNA-binding protein, Chromatin structural protein
01
Overview
Histone H3, Histone H4, and Histone H2B are basic nuclear proteins fundamental to the organization of chromatin in eukaryotic cells. They interact with DNA to form the nucleosome, the repetitive structural unit of chromatin, which regulates DNA accessibility, gene expression, replication, and repair. Each histone can undergo extensive post-translational modifications (acetylation, methylation, etc.), which are central to the regulation of chromatin structure and are implicated in numerous diseases when misregulated. Histone H3 and H4 form a stable heterotetramer at the core of the nucleosome, flanked by two H2A-H2B heterodimers. All three are highly conserved across evolution and are critical for proper cellular function.
- Other names
- Core histonesNucleosomal histonesChromatin histones
02
Mechanism of action
Most drugs act by altering the post-translational modification state of histones ("histone acetylation", "histone methylation", etc.), thus changing chromatin accessibility and gene expression. Some chaperone proteins help assemble/disassemble the nucleosome.
03
Biological functions
Genomic DNA packaging into nucleosomesRegulation of gene expression via post-translational modifications (epigenetic regulation)Maintenance of genome stabilityInfluence on transcription initiation and elongationFacilitating DNA replication and repair
04
Disease associations
Cancer (mutation and abnormal modification patterns)Neurodegenerative diseasesDevelopmental disordersOther diseases where epigenetic regulation or chromatin stability is disrupted
05
Safety considerations
Targeting histones or the enzymes that modify them can result in broad, cell-wide effects and toxicity, due to modification of global gene expressionLoss of nucleosome integrity can result in genome instability and cellular dysfunction
06
Interacting drugs
Histone deacetylase inhibitors (e.g., vorinostat, romidepsin; these affect post-translational modifications rather than the core histone proteins)
1 more in the full profile.
07
Biomarkers
Specific modified states of histones (e.g., “H3K27me3”, “H3K4ac”) are commonly used as biomarkers for:Cancer subtype classificationPrognostic indicationsEpigenetic profiling
Beyond the preview
Go deeper on Histone H3, Histone H4, Histone H2B (H3, H4, H2B).
Explore the evidence, development activity, and competitive landscape with Gosset’s full data platform.
Clinical trials
Full profile accessFollow the clinical studies evaluating therapies directed at this target.
- Trial design
- Status
- Readouts
Competitive landscape
Full profile accessCompare approaches across drug candidates, modalities, and indications.
- Programs
- Modalities
- Indications
Literature & evidence
Full profile accessInvestigate the research and source evidence behind target biology and development.
- Publications
- Sources
- Analysis
Patents
Full profile accessExplore patent activity around therapies and technologies addressing this target.
- Patents
- Assignees
- Technologies
Research & analysis
Full profile accessConnect target biology, drug development, and emerging evidence in your research.
- Biology
- Development news
- Analysis
Bring the full picture into focus.
See how Gosset can support your research on Histone H3, Histone H4, Histone H2B (H3, H4, H2B).