Higher-eukaryotic nuclei contain numerous morphologically distinct substruc
tures that are collectively called nuclear bodies. Although the precise fun
ctions of these subdomains remain unknown elucidation of their molecular co
mposition has been the subject of a great deal of research in recent years.
Changes in the constitution of these nuclear inclusions are associated wit
h disease phenotypes. The wide variety of components that concentrate withi
n these subdomains makes them a likely interface for multiple cellular proc
esses, including transcription, RNA processing, transport, RNP assembly, pr
otein modification apoptosis and cell-cycle control, This review discusses
the different types of nuclear bodies, with emphasis on the two most promin
ent subtypes - the coiled and PML bodies.