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DNA vector chemistry: The covalent attachment of signal peptides to plasmid DNA

Nature Biotechnology volume 16, pages 80–85 (1998)Cite this article

Abstract

The nuclear entry of exogenous DNA in mammalian cells is critical for efficient gene transfer. A novel technique was developed for the covalent attachment of cationic peptides to double-stranded DNA using a cyclo-propapyrroloindole cross-linker. The attachment of the SV40 large T antigen nuclear localization signal peptide induced the nuclear accumulation of the conjugated DNA in digitonin-permeabilized cells via the classical pathway for the nuclear transport of karyophilic proteins. Increased nuclear uptake of the modified DNA, however, did not occur after it was microinjected into the cytoplasm of cultured cells. This demonstration that the covalent modification of DNA with a signal peptide alters its behavior and interaction with other cellular factors portends the potential of DNA vector chemistry to enhance the efficiency of cellular gene transfer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Pediatrics and Medical Genetics, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53705

    Magdolna G. Sebestyén, James J. Ludtke, Michael C. Bassik, Guofeng Zhang, Vladimir Budker, James E. Hagstrom & Jon A. Wolff

  2. Epoch Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 1725 220th St., Bothell, WA, 98021

    Eugeny A. Lukhtanov

Authors
  1. Magdolna G. Sebestyén
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  2. James J. Ludtke
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  3. Michael C. Bassik
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  4. Guofeng Zhang
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  5. Vladimir Budker
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  6. Eugeny A. Lukhtanov
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  7. James E. Hagstrom
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  8. Jon A. Wolff
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Correspondence to Jon A. Wolff.

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Sebestyén, M., Ludtke, J., Bassik, M. et al. DNA vector chemistry: The covalent attachment of signal peptides to plasmid DNA. Nat Biotechnol 16, 80–85 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0198-80

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