Nuclear matrix network in Allium cepa

The presence of a nuclear matrix network in animal cells has been claimed by many workers in the last decade. The purpose of our study was to see whether a similar structure could be identified in the cells of higher plants. Our work revealed the presence of a fibrillar nonchromatinic network in Allium cepa nuclei. This could be impregnated with AgNO₃ in intact cells as well as in isolated matrices at the light microscope level. It was seen to be associated with the chromosomes from early to late prophase and also in telophase. Ultrastructurally a fibrillar network comparable to that reported earlier from animal cells was observed. This network remained associated with metaphase and anaphase chromosomes and could be digested with pepsin. Biochemical estimation of the isolated matrix revealed it to be made up mainly of proteins (more than 90%), traces of DNA (less than 1%) and a small quantity of RNA. SDS PAGE showed three polypeptide bands in the molecular weight range of 55,000-63,000 daltons.