The Nuclear Matrix: Modulator of Nuclear Membrane Fluidity?

Abstract

In recent years, increasing evidence indicates that cell nuclei contain a protein skeleton. The isolated ‘pendant’ to this skeleton is conveniently termed the nuclear matrix according to Berezney and Coffey (1974). It is becoming more and more accepted that the nuclear matrix is majorly responsible for the fundamental organization of nuclei. First indications exist that the nuclear matrix also plays a prominent role in diverse nuclear functions such as DNA-synthesis, RNA-metabolism, mediation of hormone signals, virus assembly etc. (cf. for reviews: Berezney and Coffey 1977; Wunderlich 1978, 1980; Berezney 1979; Shaper et al. 1979). A few years ago we started investigations onto the possible role of the nuclear matrix in the regulation of nuclear membrane lipid fluidity in the ciliate protozoan Tetrahymena pyriformis GL. Our hitherto results are briefly described in the following.