ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the aspect of DNA attachment to the nuclear skeletal structures and discusses the nature of proteins and DNA sequences located at the sites of their interaction. It explores the nuclei or metaphase chromosomes treated with nucleases and dehistonized as a nuclear or chromosomal matrix, and to the protein part of the matrix as a nuclear or chromosomal skeleton. R. Berezney and D. S. Coffey studied in detail the protein composition of residual nuclei referred to as a "nuclear matrix" and demonstrated that it was rather simple. The survival of a small DNA fraction may be explained by the resistance of DNA itself to nuclease, by contamination of nuclear matrix preparations with nonlysed cells or aggregated nuclei whose DNA is less accessible to nuclease and by its protection by nonhistone protein aggregation. The fine organization of nucleonemas (involving DNA-protein interactions) is not yet clear.
