A defective HSV-1 vector expresses Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase in cultured peripheral neurons

Science. 1988 Sep 23;241(4873):1667-9. doi: 10.1126/science.241.4873.1667.

Abstract

A defective herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) vector, pHSVlac, has been developed that contains a transcription unit that places the Escherichia coli lacZ gene under the control of the HSV-1 immediate early 4/5 promoter. The vector pHSVlac was propagated with the HSV-1 temperature-sensitive mutant ts K as helper virus. Infection of neurons from rat superior cervical ganglia and dorsal root ganglia in primary culture resulted in stable expression of high levels of beta-galactosidase without cell death. These HSV-1 vectors should be useful for introducing genes into postmitotic cells, such as neurons, in vitro and in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • DNA, Viral / metabolism
  • Defective Viruses / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli / enzymology
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Galactosidases / genetics*
  • Genetic Vectors*
  • Helper Viruses
  • Neurons / microbiology*
  • Rats
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Simplexvirus / genetics
  • Transfection
  • beta-Galactosidase / biosynthesis
  • beta-Galactosidase / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Galactosidases
  • beta-Galactosidase