[Synthetic vectors for gene transfection].
Although viruses can be efficient gene transfer vehicles developed by natural evolution, progress also has been made toward developing nonviral gene delivery systems. Various methods for nonviral gene transfer have been proposed and shown to be generally safe. Basically, synthetic vectors have to be capable of binding to DNAs and carrying them inside into target cells. Synthetic vectors are classified into three groups with respect to the chemical structure: cationic lipids, ligand-polycation conjugates and polycationic polymers. In this review, we summarize their ability to mediate gene transfer in relation to their structural characteristics. Although the molecular mechanisms including internalization via cell membrane and nuclear transport are still poorly understood, in the future systematic studies on the structure-activity relationship will be helpful for the design of more efficient artificial vectors.
Emi
N
N
First Department of Internal Medicine, Nagoya University School of Medicine.
Yoshikawa
Y
Y
D002412:Cations; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008055:Lipids; D011108:Polymers; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods
D002412:Cations; D008024:Ligands; D008055:Lipids; D011108:Polymers; D004247:DNA