Nuclear matrix

For a long time the question whether a polymer meshwork, a "nuclear matrix" or "nuclear-scaffold" or "NuMat" is an essential component of the in vivo nuclear architecture has remained a matter of debate. While there are arguments that the relative position of chromosome territories (CTs), the equivalent of condensed metaphase chromosomes at interphase, may be maintained due to steric hindrance or electrostatic repulsion forces between the apparently highly structured CT surfaces, this concept has to be reconciled with observations according to which cells treated with the classical matrix-extraction procedures maintain defined territories up to the point where a minor subset of acidic nuclear matrix proteins is released – very likely those proteins that governed their association with the nuclear skeleton. The nuclear matrix proteome consists of structural proteins, chaperones, DNA/RNA-binding proteins, chromatin remodeling and transcription factors. The complexity of NuMat is an indicator of diverse structural and functional significance of its proteins. == Scaffold/Matrix attachment regions (S/MARs) ==

S/MARs (scaffold/matrix attachment regions), the DNA regions that are known to attach genomic DNA to variety of nuclear proteins, show an ever increasing spectrum of established biological activities. There is a known overlap of this large group of sequences with sequences termed LADs (lamina attachment domains). S/MARs find increasing use for the rational design of vectors with widespread use in gene therapy and biotechnology. Nowadays S/MAR functions can be modulated, improved and custom-tailored to the specific needs of novel vector systems. ==Nuclear matrix and cancer==

The nuclear matrix composition on human cells has been proven to be cell type and tumor specific. It has been clearly demonstrated that the nuclear matrix composition in a tumor is different from its normal counterparts. This fact could be useful to characterize cancer markers and to predict the disease even earlier. These markers have been found in urine and blood and could potentially be used in early detection and prognosis of human cancers. == See also ==