Low ionic strength extraction of nuclease-treated nuclei destroys the attachment of transcriptionally active DNA to the nuclear skeleton.

We have studied how the conditions in which the nuclear matrix is isolated influence the association of transcribing DNA with the nuclear matrix. Extraction of nuclease-treated nuclei with a low ionic strength solution before a high salt nuclei with a low ionic strength solution before a high salt extraction completely abolishes this association. However, RNA removal by RNAase treatment does not affect the binding of transcribing DNA to the nuclear matrix. The nature of the association of active genes with the nuclear matrix is discussed.