Adenovirus transduction of 3T3-L1 cells

3T3-L1 cells offer an excellent model system for studies of differentiation and biochemistry of fat cells. However, these cells are limited in their u tility by the low efficiency with which DNA can be introduced by transfecti on, Gene delivery by viral vectors, particularly adenovirus, has proven a p owerful means for introduction of genes into certain cell types. Furthermor e, adenovirus transduction has been used to study mechanisms involved in th e differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells into mature fat cells. We show in this st udy that 3T3-L1 cells are inefficiently transduced by adenovirus. The poten tial advantages offered by adenovirus transduction led us to examine method s designed to enhance transduction of 3T3-L1 cells by adenovirus. Of these methods, polylysine-mediated enhancement demonstrates considerable promise because it permits up to 100% of cells to be transduced and because it does not inhibit differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells.