HIGH-EFFICIENCY STABLE DNA TRANSFECTION USING CATIONIC DETERGENT AND GLYCEROL

We show that a brief exposure to a simple cationic detergent, in combi nation with a glycerol 'shock', can result in high frequencies of stab le DNA transfection into mammalian cells, Using both Chinese hamster a nd human cell lines, frequencies of 1 per 1000, or even 1 per 100, via ble cells can be achieved readily after optimizing the transfection co nditions in a simple buffer, The mechanism of DNA transfer is proposed to differ from that for polycationic liposomes: as well as supplying a hydrophobic counterion, CDAB may promote a conformational change in DNA, allowing the DNA to be readily taken up after the glycerol shock to the cell. (C) 1997 Academic Press.