The interaction of condensin subunit XCAP-E with various nucleolar subcompartments in XL2 cells was studied. In the interphase cells, XCAP-E was associated with a granular component of nucleoli (as shown by double staining with antibodies against B23) and with small nucleolus-like structures in the nucleoplasm. Inhibition of transcription by actinomycin D does not disrupt interaction of XCAP-E with the granular compartment of segregated nucleoli. Treatment with DRB 5,6-dichloro-1 beta-ribofuranozide-benzimidazole causes disintegration of nucleolar fibrillar complexes, but does not affect nucleolar localization of XCAP-E. The data suggest that nucleolar association of XCAP-E is independent on the functional state of the nucleolus, and imply a possible role of this protein in rRNA processing and pre-fibosome assembly.