DELIVERY OF PROTEIN INTO CELLS USING POLYCATIONIC LIPOSOMES

We describe a procedure for delivery of purified proteins into a varie ty of tissue culture cells using a new polycationic lipid preparation, LipofectAMINE(R). Several different proteins, with diverse physical p roperties, can be delivered into cells by this method. Compared with c ommercially available monocationic lipids, protein delivery using Lipo fectAMINE is more efficient. Unlike other methods for protein delivery , the lipofection procedure is simple, inexpensive find effective for both adherent and nonadherent cell types. Proteins introduced into cel ls using this method are shown to be biochemically and biologically ac tive.