Mature mRNA is selectively released from the nuclear matrix by an ATP/dATP-dependent mechanism sensitive to topoisomerase inhibitors.

Ovalbumin mRNA precursors were found to be almost quantitatively associated with the hen oviduct nuclear matrix. On the other hand, only one-third of the mature ovalbumin mRNA of whole nuclei was recovered in the nuclear matrix fraction. The binding of both the high molecular weight mRNA precursors and the mature-sized mRNA to the matrix displayed no difference in stability against salt, urea, or detergents. The mature mRNA, however, was found to be released selectively from the matrix by ATP. In contrast, the mRNA precursors remained completely bound to the nuclear substructure in the presence of ATP. Detachment of mRNA from the matrix also occurred in the presence of ADP, AMP plus pyrophosphate, or ATP analogs that contain nonhydrolyzable alpha, beta and beta, gamma bonds. Contrasting with the ATP-induced effect, addition of poly(A), ethidium bromide, or the copper chelator 1,10-phenanthroline to oviduct cell matrices caused an unspecific liberation of both mature and immature ovalbumin messengers. The release of the mature mRNA by ATP was found to be strongly inhibited by both nonintercalative and intercalative inhibitors of type II topoisomerase. These results suggest that the selection of the mature mRNAs for nucleocytoplasmic transport occurs at the release stage from the matrix (i.e. before translocation through the nuclear pore) and that reactions hitherto known to cause changes in the DNA secondary structure are associated with the detachment of mRNA from the nuclear substructure.