Utilization of synthetic peptides containing nuclear localization signals for nonviral gene transfer systems

Item Type:	Review
Title:	Utilization of synthetic peptides containing nuclear localization signals for nonviral gene transfer systems
Creators Name:	Cartier, R. and Reszka, R.
Abstract:	The ability of nonviral gene delivery systems to overcome extracellular and intracellular barriers is a critical issue for future clinical applications. In recent years, several efforts were focused on the elucidation of the gene transfer mechanisms and on the development of multicomponent systems in order to improve both targeted gene delivery and transfection efficiency. The transport of the therapeutic DNA from the cytoplasm into the nucleus is an inefficient process and is considered as the major limiting step in nondividing cells. One of the strategies to improve nuclear uptake of DNA is taking advantage of the cellular nuclear import machinery. Synthetic peptides containing a nuclear localization signal (NLS) are bound to the DNA so that the resulting DNA-NLS complex can be recognized as a nuclear import substrate by specific intracellular receptor proteins. In this review, we critically summarize recent studies applying this approach with a particular focus on NLS-sequence specificity. Implications of the observed results are also discussed in regards to future developments of this technology.
Keywords:	Gene Therapy, Nonviral Gene Transfer, Nuclear Import, Nuclear Localization Signals, Transfection Mechanism, Animals
Source:	Gene Therapy
ISSN:	0969-7128
Publisher:	Nature Publishing Group
Volume:	9
Number:	3
Page Range:	157-167
Date:	1 February 2002
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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