title: Towards the mechanisms for efficient gene transfer into cells and tissues by means of cell electroporation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intracellular gene electrotransfer by means of electroporation has been on the increase during the past decade. Significant progress has been achieved both in characterizing mechanisms of gene electrotransfer and in optimizing the protocol in many preclinical trials. Recently this has led to initiation of clinical trials of gene electrotransfer to treat metastatic melanomas. Further progress with the method in various clinical trials requires better understanding of mechanisms of gene electrotransfer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A summary of recent progress in understanding mechanisms of gene electrotransfer, imparting general knowledge of cell electroporation and intracellular molecule electrotransfer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gene electrotransfer into cells and tissues is a complex process involving multiple steps that lead to plasmid DNA passage from the extracellular region to the cell nucleus crossing the barriers of the plasma membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus membrane. Electrical parameters of pulses used for gene electrotransfer affect the initial steps of DNA translocation through the plasma membrane and play a crucial role in determining the transfection efficiency. When considering gene electrotransfer into tissues it becomes clear that other nonelectrical conditions are also of primary importance.
authors.affiliation: Vytautas Magnus University, Biology Department, Biophysical Research Group, Vileikos 8, Kaunas LT-44404, Lithuania. s.satkauskas@gmf.vdu.lt
authors.forename: Saulius
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Satkauskas
authors.forename: Paulius
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ruzgys
authors.forename: Mindaugas S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Venslauskas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018274:Electroporation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans