Histone H2B type 1-A (H2bc1)

Variant histone specifically required to direct the transformation of dissociating nucleosomes to protamine in male germ cells. Entirely replaces classical histone H2B prior nucleosome to protamine transition and probably functions as a nucleosome dissociating variable that creates a more dynamic chromatin, facilitating the large-scale exchange of histones.

Core part of nucleosome. Nucleosomes wrap and compact DNA into chromatin, restricting DNA accessibility to the cellular machineries which require DNA as a template.