What role do histones play in DNA packaging?

Histones are vital proteins that are responsible for DNA packaging and also provide structural support for chromosomes. DNA wraps around complexes of histone proteins which helps give the chromosome a more compact shape. The histones are used as proteins for the DNA to be coiled around. The entire structure is known as a nucleosome, which includes a histone octamer and 146 to 147 base pairs of DNA. Histones are positively charged proteins and thus easily bind to negatively charged DNA molecules. Additionally, histones are involved in the controlling of the expression of genes. Histone gene expression is cell-cycle-regulated and coupled to DNA replication. Histone gene expression is controlled at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional level. This is so the balance between histone abundance and DNA replication is kept for the proper packaging of newly replicated DNA into chromosomes.