Transfer of eukaryotic expression plasmids to mammalian host cells by bacterial carriers.

The concept of transkingom transfer of DNA from bacteria to other organisms has recently been extended to include eukaryotic host cells. Intracellular bacteria have been shown to transfer eukaryotic expression plasmids to mammalian host cells in vitro and in vivo. This can be used to induce immune responses towards protein antigens encoded by the plasmid, to complement genetic defects or even to direct the production of proteins in appropriate organs. The ease of generating such vehicles makes this a highly attractive area for further research.