Modulation of some nuclear matrix enzymatic activities by free fatty acids

It was shown that two of main enzymatic activities of plant nucleus and nuclear matrix, namely RNA-polymerasic and DNA-nucleolytic are susceptible to modulation with free fatty acids. The effects observed were dependent to both fatty acid length and degree of unsaturation. In nuclei a stimulation of nuclease activity was observed whereas in matrices short chain fatty acids inhibited the studied activity. The effect of fatty acids on RNA-poIymerase was also different in nuclei and matrices. In nuclei all fatty acids studied inhibited polymerasic activity whereas in matrices short chain fatty acids stimulated this activity by up to 80% and the long chain fatty acids inhibited by up over 70%. The overall alteration of studied activities in nuclei and matrices by unsaturated fatty acids was similar. Nucleolytic activity was stronger inhibited and polymerasic activity was stimulated when the effects of linoleic and linolenic acids were studied. The results suggest possible importance of lipid component in nuclear matrix biological function.