NUCLEAR MATRIX AS AN ANCHOR FOR PROTEIN-KINASE CK2 NUCLEAR SIGNALING

Nuclear matrix (NM) is not only the structural basis for nuclear shape but also is intimately involved in nuclear functional activities. Amo ng the modulatory factors that may affect these diverse activities are the signals that may influence the state or composition of the NM pro teins. One such mechanism for altering the functional activity of at l east some NM proteins may be the extent of their phosphorylation. Prot ein kinase CK2 appears to associate with NM and to phosphorylate a num ber of NM-associated proteins. Chromatin- and NM-associated CK2 is rap idly modulated by mitogenic signals. We propose that NM serves as a ph ysiological anchor for nuclear signalling of protein kinase CK2 which may influence functions of NM such as transcription of active genes an d growth. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.