title: Viral vectors for modulating gene expression in neurons.
abstract: The inability to reliably express foreign proteins in postmitotic neurons has hampered numerous studies in the field of neurobiology. Within the past several years, a number of viral vectors that overcome this problem under controlled conditions in vitro have been developed. In particular, recombinant adenoviruses have proved to be efficient, non-cytotoxic vectors for manipulating neurons in dissociated and organotypic cultures, when used at low viral titres. In contrast, vectors derived from herpes simplex virus 1 still suffer from concerns regarding cellular cytotoxicity, in spite of several generations of vector development; however, recent advances in amplicon technology may solve this problem. Finally, several new-generation vectors, including those generated from adeno-associated virus, show great promise as neuronal gene-transfer vectors in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Center for Neuronal Survival, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Slack
authors.forename: F D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000229:Dependovirus / Q000235:genetics; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods*; D014780:Viruses