Cationic lipids are exploited as vectors (‘lipoplexes’) for delivering nucleic acids, including genes, into cells for both therapeutic and cell biological purposes. However, to meet therapeutic requirements, their efficacy needs major improvement, and better defining the mechanism of entry in relation to eventual transfection efficiency could be part of such a strategy. Endocytosis is the major pathway of entry, but the relative contribution of distinct endocytic pathways, including clathrin- and caveolae-mediated endocytosis and/or macropinocytosis is as yet poorly defined. Escape of DNA/RNA from endosomal compartments is thought to represent a major obstacle. Evidence is accumulating that non-lamellar phase changes of the lipoplexes, facilitated by intracellular lipids, which allow DNA to dissociate from the vector and destabilize endosomal membranes, are instrumental in plasmid translocation into the cytosol, a prerequisite for nuclear delivery. To further clarify molecular mechanisms and to appreciate and overcome intracellular hurdles in lipoplex-mediated gene delivery, quantification of distinct steps in overall transfection and proper model systems are required.
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February 2007
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Conference Article|
January 22 2007
Gene delivery by cationic lipids: in and out of an endosome
D. Hoekstra;
D. Hoekstra
1
1Department of Cell Biology, Section Membrane Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email d.hoekstra@med.umcg.nl).
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J. Rejman;
J. Rejman
2
1Department of Cell Biology, Section Membrane Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
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L. Wasungu;
L. Wasungu
1Department of Cell Biology, Section Membrane Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
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F. Shi;
F. Shi
3
1Department of Cell Biology, Section Membrane Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
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I. Zuhorn
I. Zuhorn
1Department of Cell Biology, Section Membrane Cell Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
August 14 2006
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© 2007 The Biochemical Society
2007
Biochem Soc Trans (2007) 35 (1): 68–71.
Article history
Received:
August 14 2006
Citation
D. Hoekstra, J. Rejman, L. Wasungu, F. Shi, I. Zuhorn; Gene delivery by cationic lipids: in and out of an endosome. Biochem Soc Trans 1 February 2007; 35 (1): 68–71. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST0350068
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