[Electric pulse mediated high efficient gene transfer].
OBJECTIVE
To study gene transfer mediated by electric pulse and optimize the parameters of electric pulse in vivo.


METHODS
10 micrograms plasmid pcD2/LacZ was injected into the quadriceps of 220 Kunming mice. One to two minutes after the DNA injection electric pulse with different parameters was given to the injection site. Three days after, activity of beta-galactosidase was measured, and the expression of Laz2 gene in muscle was determined by histochemical staining.


RESULTS
The activity of beta-galactosidase in electric pulse group (131.6 U/mg +/- 86.6 U/mg protein) was 30 fold higher than that in direct injection group (4.9 U/mg +/- 1.0 U/mg protein) (P < 0.05). Histochemical analysis of muscles injected with a LacZ expression plasmid also showed that in vivo electric pulse increased both the number of positively stained muscle fibers and the density of staining. When the electric pulse was with the parameters of 200 V/cm, 40 ms, 6 pulses and 1HZ, maximal gene expression was achieved.


CONCLUSIONS
Electric pulse, with optimal parameters, increases gene expression. Electric pulse makes much more gene expression than mere intramuscular DNA injection.
Zhang
G
G
Institute of Cardiovascular Basic Research, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China.
Shen
D
D
Jin
C
C
D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018274:Electroporation; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D051379:Mice; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics
D004247:DNA; D001616:beta-Galactosidase