Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
11
pubmed:dateCreated
2009-10-30
pubmed:abstractText
Although transfections are routinely used in the laboratory, the mechanism(s) by which exogenous DNA is transported into the nucleus is poorly understood. By improving our understanding of how vectors circumvent the numerous cellular barriers to gene transfer, more efficient gene delivery methods can be devised. We have begun to design plasmid constructs that enter the nucleus of specific cell types in the absence of cell division, thereby enhancing levels of expression. We have shown that inclusion of specific DNA sequences in plasmid constructs mediates nuclear import both in vitro and in vivo. Here, we use plasmid affinity chromatography, mass spectrometry (MS), and live-cell pulldowns of transfected plasmid constructs to identify protein cofactors that interact in a sequence-specific manner with these DNA nuclear targeting sequences (DTSs). Importin beta(1), importin 7, and the small guanosine triphosphatase Ran all demonstrate DTS-specific interaction in both MS and pull-down assays, consistent with our model of plasmid nuclear import. In addition, knockdown of importin beta(1) with small interfering RNA (siRNA) abrogates plasmid nuclear import, indicating that it is a necessary cofactor. Our discovery that specific karyopherins mediate plasmid nuclear import can be used to design more effective vectors for gene delivery.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Nov
pubmed:issn
1525-0024
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:volume
17
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
1897-903
pubmed:dateRevised
2010-11-2
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2009
pubmed:articleTitle
Identification of protein cofactors necessary for sequence-specific plasmid DNA nuclear import.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural