Nuclear matrix proteins specific for subtypes of human hematopoietic cells

Nuclear matrices were prepared from isolated subtypes of human hematopoietic cells and from cultured leukemia cells. The nuclear matrix proteins were analyzed by high‐resolution two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and computer‐assisted image analysis. While more than 200 protein spots were shared among the cells, about 50 distinct spots were found characteristic for individual cells or groups of related cells. This allowed to differentiate between hematopoietic cells and nonhematopoietic cells, lymphocytes and myeloid cells, monocytes, neutrophils, and promyelocytic leukemia cells. B and T lymphocytes could not be differentiated. Myeloid cells with their polymorph nuclei were characterized by the presence of 13 and by the absence of seven distinct spots, as well as by low concentrations of nuclear lamins and of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins. Neutrophils with multilobular nuclei displayed six additional spots, while lacking 18 nuclear matrix protein spots. The nuclear matrix of proliferating cells showed three distinct spots in addition to proliferating cell nuclear antigen, increased concentrations of numatrin (B23), and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins. The described cell‐specific nuclear matrix proteins may represent new markers for hematopoietic cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 72:470–482, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.