title: HSV-1-based amplicon vectors: design and applications.
abstract: Amplicons are defective, helper-dependent herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-based vectors able to convey more than 100 kbp of foreign DNA to the nucleus of mammalian cells. This unique feature make amplicons very appealing for preventive or therapeutic gene transfer requiring the transduction of very large pieces of DNA, as well as for upstream fundamental studies, such as functional genomics. Several recent achievements in amplicon technology have allowed to produce relatively large amounts of essentially helper-free amplicons, as well as to expand the host range of these vectors. In this review, we will update the current know-how concerning design, construction, and recent applications, as well as the potential and current limitations, of this interesting and promising class of vectors.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Génétique Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS - UMR 5534, Université Claude Bernard Lyon, Villeurbanne, France.
authors.forename: Alberto L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Epstein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015870:Gene Expression; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006378:Helper Viruses; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D021141:Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; D014161:Transduction, Genetic / Q000379:methods; D019076:Transgenes