538. DNAvaletTM Transfection Reagent
Authors: Carla Prata
Journal: Molecular Therapy (2006)

The delivery of nucleic acids to a cell offers the potential to introduce a new gene with subsequent protein expression. DNAvaletTM is a new transfection reagent that incorporates the latest developments in surfactant science and cellular mechanism for DNA uptake and protein expression. This reagent provides high levels of gene transfection when compared to other commercial transfection reagents in both human and animal cells. Our formulation facilitates DNA through the transfection pathway including initial vector-DNA complexation, endocytosis, endosomal escape, nuclear entry, and expression.DNAvaletTM is a charge-switchable lipid that transforms from a cationic species into an anionic species. In the cationic state, DNAvaletTM initiates an electrostatic complex with DNA and promotes cellular uptake through the plasma membrane. Once inside the cell, DNAvaletTM undergoes a transformation to an anionic state that releases the DNA and allows efficient translation of the encoded gene.The physico-chemical properties of the DNAvaletTM /DNA assembly have been characterized by dynamic light scattering and electronic microscopy. Transfection experiments using the reporter gene, β-galactosidase were performed with different cell lines cells, which includes adherent and suspension cells. The cells transfected with the β-galactosidase vector expressing β-galactosidase were visualized by microscopy. The DNAvaletTM also has a very low cytotoxicity, which was confirmed by optical microscopy and by cell viability assay.DNAvaletTM represent a new delivery approach, which expands the non-viral vectors commercial available for gene delivery. The delivery of nucleic acids to a cell offers the potential to introduce a new gene with subsequent protein expression. DNAvaletTM is a new transfection reagent that incorporates the latest developments in surfactant science and cellular mechanism for DNA uptake and protein expression. This reagent provides high levels of gene transfection when compared to other commercial transfection reagents in both human and animal cells. Our formulation facilitates DNA through the transfection pathway including initial vector-DNA complexation, endocytosis, endosomal escape, nuclear entry, and expression. DNAvaletTM is a charge-switchable lipid that transforms from a cationic species into an anionic species. In the cationic state, DNAvaletTM initiates an electrostatic complex with DNA and promotes cellular uptake through the plasma membrane. Once inside the cell, DNAvaletTM undergoes a transformation to an anionic state that releases the DNA and allows efficient translation of the encoded gene. The physico-chemical properties of the DNAvaletTM /DNA assembly have been characterized by dynamic light scattering and electronic microscopy. Transfection experiments using the reporter gene, β-galactosidase were performed with different cell lines cells, which includes adherent and suspension cells. The cells transfected with the β-galactosidase vector expressing β-galactosidase were visualized by microscopy. The DNAvaletTM also has a very low cytotoxicity, which was confirmed by optical microscopy and by cell viability assay. DNAvaletTM represent a new delivery approach, which expands the non-viral vectors commercial available for gene delivery.