Compartmentalization of regulatory proteins in the cell nucleus

The cell nucleus is increasingly recognized as a spatially organized struct ure. In this review, the nature and controversies associated with nuclear c ompartmentalization are discussed. The relationship between nuclear structu re and organization of proteins involved in the regulation of RNA polymeras e II-transcribed genes is then discussed. Finally, very recent data on the mobility of these proteins within the cell nucleus is considered and their implications for regulation through compartmentalization of proteins and ge nomic DNA are discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved .