nucleoplasmic

Nucleoplasmic is an adjective referring to nucleoplasm, the semi-fluid substance inside the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell. The nucleoplasm fills the nuclear compartment and surrounds the genetic material, while the nucleolus is a distinct substructure within the nucleus.

The nucleoplasm is a crowded, gel-like solution containing water, ions, small metabolites, and a variety of macromolecules. It hosts chromatin in various states of condensation, as well as histone proteins, nuclear enzymes, and components of the nuclear matrix that help organize genetic material and regulate access to DNA.

The nuclear envelope encloses the nucleoplasm and is supported by the nuclear lamina. The outer membrane is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum. Transport between the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm occurs through nuclear pore complexes, enabling exchange of RNA and protein.

Functions of the nucleoplasm include housing transcription, DNA replication, RNA processing, and DNA repair. It provides the environment for chromatin organization, supports subnuclear bodies such as speckles and Cajal bodies, and participates in signaling and response to cellular stress. The term nucleoplasmic is used to describe components or processes located within this compartment, for example nucleoplasmic proteins or a nucleoplasmic reticulum.

See also: nucleolus, nucleus, chromatin, nuclear envelope, nuclear pore complex, nucleoplasmic reticulum.