Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV 16) has been found to be integrated into the DNA of epithelial cells in most cervical cancers. The HPV16 DNA is bound to different nuclear matrix proteins in normal and cervical carcinoma cells. It has high affinity, for acidic proteins in cancer cells. The molecular weights of the acidic proteins are 200 kD, 186 kD and 67 kD. On the other hand, the viral DNA seemed to bind to higher molecular weight basic nuclear matrix proteins (250 kD, 150 kD) of normal cells. Further investigation of the functional roles of these nuclear matrix proteins may provide insight into the process of carcinogenesis of the cervix.