Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 1996-01-01

Short-chain phospholipids enhance amphipathic peptide-mediated gene transfer.

JY Legendre, A Supersaxo

Index: Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 217(1) , 179-85, (1995)

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Abstract

Addition of short-chain phospholipids to the gramicidin S-DNA-dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine complex enhanced up to 6-fold beta-galactosidase expression in several cell-lines in vitro. Among the compounds tested, the most potent in enhancing transfection were the dicapryl- and the dicapryloyl phosphatidylcholine. In contrast, no significant enhancement of transfection was seen when short-chain phospholipids were mixed with cationic lipids. Short-chain phospholipid and gramicidin S may act simultaneously on the cell membrane to enhance gene transfer, yet resulting in no toxicity.