title: A note on poly-L-lysine-mediated gene transfer in HeLa cells.
abstract: Poly-L-lysines of chain lengths varying from 70 to 300 residues are shown to bring about luciferase pRSVL DNA uptake and expression in HeLa cells. Transfection was approximately 50% that of the cationic liposome DOTAB. Expression was higher in the presence of chloroquine. Of interest was the fact that luciferase activity depended on the polysine/DNA charge ratio (+/-). Maximum activity occurred at a charge ratio (+/-) of 3, while at a charge ratio of 1 (conjugate electrically neutral) activity was much lower. At the higher charge ratios (+/-) of 4 and 5, luciferase activity decreased. The results obtained are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Stellenbosch Medical School, Tygerberg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Joubert
authors.forename: Johann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Zyl
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hawtrey
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ariatti
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes; D008156:Luciferases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D010957:Plasmids; D011107:Polylysine / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D008081:Liposomes; D011107:Polylysine; D004247:DNA; D008156:Luciferases