Inhibitory effect of Ca2+ on in vivo gene transfer by electroporation.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the specific effects of Ca2+ on transgene expression during electroporation-mediated gene transfer in mice.


METHODS
Skeletal muscle and skin were subjected to in vivo electroporation with a luciferase reporter plasmid, with or without Ca2+ and various other ions.


RESULTS
For in vivo electroporation, the presence of just 10 mmol/L Ca2+ in the DNA solution drastically reduced the resulting transgene expression, to less than 5% of control values. Only Ca2+, not other ions, caused inhibition, and the effect was not tissue specific. More surprisingly, even when Ca2+ ions were delivered by electroporation before or after DNA administration, similar effects were still observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The inhibitory effect of Ca2+ on in vivo gene transfer by electroporation is specific, ie, the inhibitory effect may be related to the cell membrane properties after electroporation and the subsequent resealing event.
Zhao
Yong-gang
YG
School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
Lu
Hui-li
HL
Peng
Jin-liang
JL
Xu
Yu-hong
YH
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D018274:Electroporation; D005260:Female; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D008156:Luciferases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism*
D004247:DNA; D008156:Luciferases; D002118:Calcium