title: The nuclear pore complex: the gateway to successful nonviral gene delivery.
abstract: One of the limiting steps in the efficiency of nonviral gene delivery is transport of genetic material across the nuclear membrane. Trafficking of nuclear proteins from the cytoplasm into the nucleus occurs via the nuclear pore complex and is mediated by nuclear localization signals and their nuclear receptors. Several strategies employing this transport mechanism have been designed and explored to improve nonviral gene delivery. In this article, we review the mechanism of nuclear import through the nuclear pore complex and the strategies used to facilitate nuclear import of exogenous DNA and improve gene expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80082, 3508 TB, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marieke A E M
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: van der Aa
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mastrobattista
authors.forename: Ronald S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Oosting
authors.forename: Wim E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Hennink
authors.forename: Gerben A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Koning
authors.forename: Daan J A
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Crommelin
mesh_terms: D021581:Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D006801:Humans; D028884:Karyopherins / Q000378:metabolism; D019913:Nuclear Localization Signals / Q000378:metabolism; D022022:Nuclear Pore / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D028884:Karyopherins; D019913:Nuclear Localization Signals; D004247:DNA