SWITCHING TRANSGENE EXPRESSION IN THE BRAIN USING AN ADENOVIRAL TETRACYCLINE-REGULATABLE SYSTEM

We have developed a tetracycline-regulatable adenoviral transfection s ystem that mediates efficient long-term transfer of genes into neurona l cells in vivo. This system allows gene expression to be switched on, then off, and back on again simply by administering or removing doxyc ycline from the animals' drinking water. This regulatable adenoviral v ector system should be of value in behavioral studies and in vivo stud ies of neuronal gene function, and may further the development of effe ctive gene therapy strategies in the brain.