The effect of human recombinant DNA interferon alpha type A on nuclear inositol lipids, diacylglycerol (DAG) and DNA metabolism has been investigated in Friend erythroleukemia cells. A transient enhancement of phosphatidylinositol (4,5) - bisphosphate (PIP2) phosphorylation together with an increase of diacylglycerol mass were observed in nuclei isolated from cells treated with interferon alpha for 90 min. At the same time, a marked reduction of DNA polymerase alpha activity was observed, suggesting a possible involvement of nuclear inositol fraction in the response of the cell nucleus to interferon treatment.