Viral vectors for modulating gene expression in neurons.

The inability to reliably express foreign proteins in postmitotic neurons has hampered numerous studies in the field of neurobiology. Within the past several years, a number of viral vectors that overcome this problem under controlled conditions in vitro have been developed. In particular, recombinant adenoviruses have proved to be efficient, non-cytotoxic vectors for manipulating neurons in dissociated and organotypic cultures, when used at low viral titres. In contrast, vectors derived from herpes simplex virus 1 still suffer from concerns regarding cellular cytotoxicity, in spite of several generations of vector development; however, recent advances in amplicon technology may solve this problem. Finally, several new-generation vectors, including those generated from adeno-associated virus, show great promise as neuronal gene-transfer vectors in vivo.