title: DNA vector chemistry: the covalent attachment of signal peptides to plasmid DNA.
abstract: The nuclear entry of exogenous DNA in mammalian cells is critical for efficient gene transfer. A novel technique was developed for the covalent attachment of cationic peptides to double-stranded DNA using a cyclo-propapyrroloindole cross-linker. The attachment of the SV40 large T antigen nuclear localization signal peptide induced the nuclear accumulation of the conjugated DNA in digitonin-permeabilized cells via the classical pathway for the nuclear transport of karyophilic proteins. Increased nuclear uptake of the modified DNA, however, did not occur after it was microinjected into the cytoplasm of cultured cells. This demonstration that the covalent modification of DNA with a signal peptide alters its behavior and interaction with other cellular factors portends the potential of DNA vector chemistry to enhance the efficiency of cellular gene transfer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53705, USA.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Sebestyén
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Ludtke
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Bassik
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Budker
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Lukhtanov
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hagstrom
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Wolff
mesh_terms: D000952:Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming / Q000737:chemistry*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D003521:Cyclopropanes / Q000737:chemistry; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D006367:HeLa Cells / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000737:chemistry; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals / Q000737:chemistry*; D013539:Simian virus 40 / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000952:Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007211:Indoles; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; C110747:cyclopropapyrroloindole; D004247:DNA; D003850:Deoxyribonuclease I