Nuclear matrix: a cell-cycle-dependent site of increased intranuclear protein phosphorylation

Evidence is presented that the nuclear matrix is a cell-cycle-dependent site of increased intranuclear protein phosphorylation. The incorporation of radioactive phosphate (32P) is highest during the premitotic (G2) phase and 40-50% less in the postmitotic phase (G1). This is observed for both total matrix protein and for several individual polypeptides ranging in molecular mass from greater than 200 kDa to 19 kDa. The phenomenon can be demonstrated when the matrix is isolated from orthophosphate-labeled intact cells, as well as when the matrix is isolated and then incubated in vitro in a protein kinase reaction mixture. The ability of the isolated matrix to mimic the events in vivo indicates the presence of endogenous protein phosphokinase activity and physiological substrates in this isolated nuclear fraction. Further evidence for such mimicry was obtained when amino acid phosphorylation sites were determined. Phosphoserine is the most abundant phosphoamino acid in the matrix labelled both in vitro and in vivo, although phosphothreonine and phosphotyrosine are also present. On the basis of several pieces of data, the endogenous matrix activity appears to be due to multiple protein phosphokinases. Since the maximum phosphorylation coincides with premitosis, the phosphoproteins may play a role in mitotic events. These observations extend and expand the application of this fraction to the study of nuclear structure/function relationships, particularly at the time of mitosis.