Histone H2A as a transfection agent in crayfish hematopoietic tissue cells

Dev Comp Immunol. 2007;31(4):340-6. doi: 10.1016/j.dci.2006.07.007. Epub 2006 Sep 11.

Abstract

We report a novel and highly efficient dsRNA transfection system based on one of the nuclear proteins, namely, histone H2A. RT-PCR semi-quantitative analysis of silencing target gene shows that the transfection efficiency of histone H2A is higher than Effectene or liposome-based transfection systems. Importantly, the high efficiency of histone H2A was associated with very low toxicity to the transfected crayfish hematopoietic tissue (Hpt) cells. The non-toxicity, effectiveness and specificity of histone H2A as a transfection agent provides a cheap, simple, highly efficient and reproducible gene delivery system, particularly for the sensitive cell cultures of crustacean animals such as crayfish and shrimp.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astacoidea / cytology
  • Astacoidea / physiology*
  • Hematopoiesis / genetics*
  • Histones / genetics*
  • RNA Interference*
  • Transfection*

Substances

  • Histones