The use of histone as a facilitator to improve the efficiency of retroviral gene transfer.
Vectors based on murine C-type retroviruses are commonly used in biology. The efficiency of viral infection is normally increased by a facilitator, for example polybrene, DEAE-dextran or a liposome. The receptor for ecotropic viruses is a transporter for basic amino acids; we therefore explored the use of a highly basic protein, histone type IIA, as a facilitator. We show in several cell types that histone is as efficient as the other agents tested, and in some cases more so. This readily available reagent is thus likely to be useful in the wide range of studies that employ retroviral vectors.
Singh
D
D
Division of Eukaryotic Molecular Genetics, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, London, UK.
Rigby
P W
PW
D000599:Amino Acids, Diamino / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017988:Gammaretrovirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006657:Histones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D011991:Receptors, Virus
D000599:Amino Acids, Diamino; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D006657:Histones; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011991:Receptors, Virus; C070506:ecotropic murine leukemia virus receptor