ADENOASSOCIATED VIRUS VECTOR-MEDIATED TRANSDUCTION OF PRIMARY NORMAL HUMAN BREAST EPITHELIAL-CELLS

Cultured human breast epithelial cells from reduction mammoplasty spec imens were transduced using an adeno-associated virus vector encoding the marker gene E. coli B-galactosidase. Subconfluent, growing, breast epithelial cells were more easily transduced than confluent, quiescen t, cells. Transduction of non-dividing confluent cells could be greatl y increased by ultraviolet light-induced DNA damage or by prior exposu re to the DNA synthesis inhibitor hydroxyurea. The effects of ultravio let light and hydroxyurea on transduction were additive when these age nts were applied together.