35 - Fusogenic Reconstituted Sendai Virus Envelopes as a Vehicle for Introducing DNA into Viable Mammalian Cells

Abstract

This chapter discusses fusogenic reconstituted Sendai virus that envelopes as a vehicle for introducing DNA into viable mammalian cells. The envelope of Sendai virus particles, like other biological membranes, can be subjected to solubilization by either nonionic or ionic detergents. The only requirement for fusion-mediated injection by reconstituted Sendai virus envelopes (RSVE) is the presence of sialic acid residues on cell surface glycoproteins or glycolipids. Theoretically, it can be assumed that transformation of cells or transfer of functional DNA molecules by DNA-loaded RSVE should be as efficient as transformation by intact DNA animal viruses. Carrier-nonfunctional DNA has been shown to be useful in transforming cells by the calcium phosphate coprecipitation methods. Using carrier DNA may significantly increase the efficiency of cell transformation by DNA-loaded RSVE.