Native chromatin aggregates under isotonic conditions so it is generally studied using higher or lower salt concentrations. This has led to different interpretations of how transcription might occur. Studies using hypertonically-isolated preparations suggest that DNA functions in close association with a skeletal nuclear substructure, the matrix or cage, but such a structure is not usually seen under hypotonic conditions (e.g., in 'Miller-spreads'). Using a novel method for preparing chromati...