Nuclear structure-gene expression interrelationships: Implications for aberrant gene expression in cancer

There is long-standing recognition that transformed and tumor cells exhibit striking alterations in nuclear morphology as well as in the representatio n and intranuclear distribution of nucleic acids and regulatory factors. Pa rameters of nuclear structure support cell growth and phenotypic properties of cells by facilitating the organization of genes, replication and transc ription sites, chromatin remodeling complexes, transcripts, and regulatory factors in structurally and functionally definable subnuclear domains withi n the three-dimensional context of nuclear architecture. The emerging evide nce for functional interrelationships of nuclear structure and gene express ion is consistent with linkage of tumor-related modifications in nuclear or ganization to compromised gene regulation during the onset and progression of cancer.