Modification of the lipid component modulates nuclear matrix nucleolytic activity.

It was shown that lipid composition of plant nuclear matrix depends on procedure of its isolation. The matrix isolated with the use of lithium diiodosalicylate (LiS) differs in its lipid composition from the preparation isolated with the use of nonionic detergent (Triton X-100). It was also shown that the nucleolytic activity of the matrix is related to its lipid component. Matrix depleted in lipids loses half of its nucleolytic activity which is recovered after supplementation with previously extracted lipids. The extent of recovery of the nucleolytic activity is also dependent on the presence of residual DNA in matrix preparation. The recoveries of nucleolytic activities were higher in matrices not depleted in their DNA content.