Histone: oxidation by peroxidase alters its interaction with DNA

When histone is oxidized by peroxidase, its basicity (hence its complexing with DNA) is reduced: this reduction causes further alterations in the effect of histone upon the heat denaturation, acid precipitation, and breakdown by DNase of DNA, alterations which indicate that the regulation by histone of DNA expression may become abnormal. If oxidized species of histone should accumulate in the tissues in old age, the alteration mentioned might be a contributory factor of senescence.