Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Entry of exogenously applied DNA into the cytoplasm and subsequent transport into the nucleus are major cellular barriers for nonviral gene delivery vectors. To overcome these barriers, we have covalently attached the cationic peptide melittin to poly(ethylenimine) (PEI). This conjugate condensed DNA into small, discrete particles (<100 nm in diameter), and the membrane lytic activity of melittin enabled efficient release of the DNA into the cytoplasm, as monitored by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Compared with PEI, the transfection activity was strongly increased within a broad range of cell lines and types tested, including different tumor cell lines but also primary hepatocytes and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The early onset of gene expression (within 4 h, reaching maximal values after 12 h) and the high reporter gene expression achieved in slowly dividing or confluent cells suggested a further role of melittin after releasing the DNA into the cytoplasm. Intracytoplasmic microinjection of melittin-containing PEI.DNA complexes into fibroblasts produced 40% cellular frequency of reporter gene expression that was inhibitable by co-injection of wheat germ agglutinin, whereas simple PEI.DNA complexes showed only 10%. These data suggest that melittin enables release of nonviral gene transfer particles into the cytoplasm and also enhances their transport into the nucleus, possibly via the cationic cluster KRKR near the C terminus of the peptide.

Original publication

DOI

10.1074/jbc.M108331200

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Biol Chem

Publication Date

14/12/2001

Volume

276

Pages

47550 - 47555

Keywords

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus, Animals, Bromodeoxyuridine, Cell Line, Cell Nucleus, Cells, Cultured, Cytoplasm, Endosomes, Endothelium, Vascular, Erythrocytes, Fibroblasts, Flow Cytometry, Gene Transfer Techniques, Genes, Reporter, Genetic Vectors, HeLa Cells, Humans, Luciferases, Melitten, Mice, Microscopy, Electron, Microscopy, Fluorescence, Mitosis, Photons, Plasmids, Polyethyleneimine, Protein Structure, Tertiary, Rats, Spectrophotometry, Time Factors, Transfection, Tumor Cells, Cultured