Transfer of recombinant nucleic acids into cells (transfection) by means of histones and other nuclear proteins

Abstract

Currently a protein/peptide-mediated gene delivery hasbeen considered a promising approach in non-viral genetransfer. The previous investigations have shown that histonesand other nuclear proteins might be effective vectors for genetransfer into cells. Transfection of eukaryotic cells by nucleicacid and histone complexes (histonefection) effectively occurswith various histone proteins. The presence of DNA-bindingdomains and specific signal sequences of nuclear locationallows to use histones (Н1/Н5, Н2А, Н2В, Н3, Н4) and othernuclear proteins (such as HMG family proteins and histonelikeprokaryotic proteins) for recombinant genes transfer.The positive charge of histone protein molecules enableselectrostatic interaction with negatively charged moleculesof nucleic acids and charge neutralization that facilitatesthe complexes penetration through a negatively chargedcell membrane. Thus, histonefection is a promising methodfor non-viral transfer of recombinant nucleic acids in genetherapy.

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