A defective HSV-1 vector expresses Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase in cultured peripheral neurons.
A defective herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) vector, pHSVlac, has been developed that contains a transcription unit that places the Escherichia coli lacZ gene under the control of the HSV-1 immediate early 4/5 promoter. The vector pHSVlac was propagated with the HSV-1 temperature-sensitive mutant ts K as helper virus. Infection of neurons from rat superior cervical ganglia and dorsal root ganglia in primary culture resulted in stable expression of high levels of beta-galactosidase without cell death. These HSV-1 vectors should be useful for introducing genes into postmitotic cells, such as neurons, in vitro and in vivo.
Geller
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AI
Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
Breakefield
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XO
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D003673:Defective Viruses / Q000235:genetics*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005696:Galactosidases / Q000235:genetics*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006378:Helper Viruses; D009474:Neurons / Q000382:microbiology*; D051381:Rats; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*
D004279:DNA, Viral; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D005696:Galactosidases; D001616:beta-Galactosidase