An Overview to the Structure and Function of Nuclear Matrix

Abstract

Although the genome is defined by its primary sequence, its functional properties, aredetermined by far more complex mechanisms and depend on multiple layers of nuclearorganization. The architecture of the nucleus includes two overlapping structures: the chromatinand a framework structure named the nuclear matrix. Ultra-structural studies revealthat the nuclear matrix is a network consisting of branched core filaments masked with alarge number of hnRNPs and regulatory proteins. This scaffold has been demonstrated tobe an active and dynamic structure, anchoring the nuclear processes such as replication,transcription and splicing making nuclear domains/foci. It is postulated that the nuclearmatrix serves as a dynamic support to bring together specific DNA sequences with factorsinvolved in the regulation of genome functions. In this review, we attempt to introduce thestructure and function of nuclear matrix as an active intra-nuclear factor, having a criticaldynamic role to organize different nuclear functions. Studying in vivo variations of this epigeneticparameter has been suggested to all investigators interested in the field of chromatinstructure and itsdynamics.

Keywords

• Nuclear Matrix
• Nuclear Organization
• Chromatin
• Matrin