Endosomes, lysosomes: their implication in gene transfer

Plasmid DNA, naked or bound to a non-viral vector, is taken up by endocytos is. As a result, it has to travel through the intracellular endocytic pathw ay involving endosomes and lysosomes. However, some DNA molecules must esca pe these organelles to reach the nucleus where transcription takes place. I n this paper, we consider different factors that could affect the trafficki ng of plasmid DNA and influence transfection efficiency. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserved.