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Functional gene transfer from intracellular bacteria to mammalian cells

Nature Biotechnology volume 16, pages 862–866 (1998)Cite this article

Abstract

We provide evidence of direct transfer of functional DNA from bacteria to mammalian cells. An Escherichia coli K12 diaminopimelate auxotroph made invasive by cloning the invasin gene from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis transfers DNA after simple co-incubation, into a variety of mammalian cell lines. Transfer efficiency was enhanced in some cells by coexpression of the gene for listeriolysin from Listeria monocytogenes. Expression of the acquired genes occurs in both dividing and quiescent cells. The only requirement for bacteria to transfer genetic material into nonprofessional phagocytic cells and macrophages is the ability to invade the host cell.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unité des Agents Antibactériens, Institut Pasteur, 75724, Paris, Cedex 15, France

    Catherine Grillot-Courvalin, Sylvie Goussard & Patrice Courvalin

  2. Unité d'lmmunogénétique, Institut Pasteur, 75724, Paris, Cedex 15, France

    Frarnçois Huetz

  3. Unité de Biologi des Interactions Cellulaires, Institut Pasteur, 75724, Paris, Cedex 15, France

    David M. Ojcius

Authors
  1. Catherine Grillot-Courvalin
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  2. Sylvie Goussard
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  3. Frarnçois Huetz
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  4. David M. Ojcius
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  5. Patrice Courvalin
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Correspondence to Catherine Grillot-Courvalin.

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Grillot-Courvalin, C., Goussard, S., Huetz, F. et al. Functional gene transfer from intracellular bacteria to mammalian cells. Nat Biotechnol 16, 862–866 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0998-862

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