Effects of carriers on transgene expression from plasmids containing a DNA sequence with high histone affinity.

The intranuclear disposition of plasmid DNA is highly important for transgene expression. The effects of a left-handedly curved sequence with high histone affinity on transgene expression were examined in COS-7 cells with two kinds of carriers (Lipofectamine Plus and TransIT-LT1). Three plasmids containing the curved sequence at different positions were transfected. The transgene expression was affected by the position of the left-handedly curved sequence, and the sequence at appropriate locations enhanced the expression from plasmid DNAs. However, the position effects on the expression differed from those obtained by electroporation of the same plasmid DNAs in a naked form. In addition, the degree of expression enhancement seemed to depend on the carriers. These results suggest that the left-handedly curved sequence with high histone affinity could increase the transgene expression from a plasmid delivered with carriers.