Association of transcription factors with the nuclear matrix represents a mechanism by which nuclear architecture may influence transcriptional control of gene expression. This investigation examines nuclear matrix associated proteins (NMP's) isolated from ocular lens epithelial cells by monitoring DNA binding activities using consensus oligonucleotides recognized by the transcription factors YY1, AML-1, AP-1, SP-1 and ATF. The nuclear matrix fractions tested included an immortilized human lens epithelial cell line containing the SV40 large T-antigen, and two mouse lens epithelial cell lines derived from either a normal mouse or a cataract mouse. A rabbit epidermal epithelial cell line and HeLa cells were also included in this study for comparison. The data from these experiments reveal that ubiquitously represented and tissue restricted regulatory proteins are associated with nuclear matrix of lens epithelial cells. The functional significance of the nuclear matrix association of these transcription factors remains to be determined. However, our findings raise the possibility that the transcription factors associated with the nuclear matrix could have specific roles in gene regulation and eye tissue development.