title: Virus vector-mediated gene transfer.
abstract: A wide variety of different animal virus groups have been employed to develop virus vector systems for delivery of foreign genes into a host cell or animal. The minimal requirements for a virus vector, replication, packaging and assembly functions, have been defined and both defective and viable virus vectors may be produced. Signals that provide cell or tissue specificity, high rates of transcription, RNA processing, translational controls or specific localization of the foreign gene product into a cellular compartment are all now possible. The combination of safety, specificity and high levels of production make virus vectors a leading choice for the expression of foreign genes in experimental and commercial applications.
authors.affiliation: Princeton University, Department of Molecular Biology, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, NJ 08544.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Levine
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005814:Genes, Viral; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D014162:Transfection; D018406:Virus Physiological Phenomena; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D014780:Viruses / Q000235:genetics*