YY1 is a zinc finger-containing transcription factor that can both repress and activate transcription. YY1 appears to use multiple mechanisms to carry out its diverse functions. Recently, it was observed that YY1 can exist in multiple nuclear compartments. In addition to being present in the nuclear extract fraction, YY1 is also a component of the nuclear matrix. We show that YY1 can be sequestered in vivo into a high-molecular-weight complex and can be dislodged from this complex either by treatment with formamide or by incubation with an oligonucleotide containing the YY1 DNA binding site sequence. By transfecting plasmids expressing various YY1 deletion constructs and subsequent nuclear fractionation, we have identified sequences necessary for association with the nuclear matrix. These sequences (residues 256-340) co-localized with those necessary for in vivo sequestration of YY1 into the high-molecular-weight complex. We have also characterized YY1 sequences necessary for repression of activated transcription (residues 333-371) and those necessary for masking of the YY1 transactivation domain (residues 371-397). Sequences that repress activated transcription partially overlap YY1 sequences necessary for association with the nuclear matrix. However, these sequences are distinct from those that appear to mask the YY1 transactivation domain. The potential role of nuclear matrix association in controlling YY1 function is discussed.