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Interactions of heterologous DNA with polyomavirus major structural protein, VP1
Author(s) -
Štokrová Jitka,
Palková Zdena,
Fischer Lukáš,
Richterová Zuzana,
Korb Jan,
Griffin Beverly E.,
Forstová Jitka
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(99)00003-4
Subject(s) - dna , heterologous , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , biology , naked dna , in vitro , protein–dna interaction , chemistry , biophysics , plasmid , dna binding protein , genetics , transcription factor
‘Empty' polyomavirus pseudocapsids, self‐assembled from the major structural protein VP1, bind DNA non‐specifically and can deliver it into the nuclei of mammalian cells for expression [Forstová et al. (1995) Hum. Gene Ther. 6, 297–306]. Formation of suitable VP1‐DNA complexes appears to be the limiting step in this route of gene delivery. Here, the character of VP1‐DNA interactions has been studied in detail. Electron microscopy revealed that VP1 pseudocapsids can create in vitro at least two types of interactions with double‐stranded DNA: (i) highly stable complexes, requiring free DNA ends, where the DNA is partially encapsidated; and, (ii) weaker interactions of pseudocapsids with internal parts of the DNA chain.