Bobis-Wozowicz, SylwiaGalla, MelanieAlzubi, JamalKuehle, JohannesBaum, ChristopherSchambach, AxelCathomen, Toni2014-05-062014Bobis-Wozowicz, Sylwia, Melanie Galla, Jamal Alzubi, Johannes Kuehle, Christopher Baum, Axel Schambach, and Toni Cathomen. 2014. “Non-integrating gamma-retroviral vectors as a versatile tool for transient zinc-finger nuclease delivery.” Scientific Reports 4 (1): 4656. doi:10.1038/srep04656. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep04656.2045-2322http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:12152936Designer nucleases, like zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), represent valuable tools for targeted genome editing. Here, we took advantage of the gamma-retroviral life cycle and produced vectors to transfer ZFNs in the form of protein, mRNA and episomal DNA. Transfer efficacy and ZFN activity were assessed in quantitative proof-of-concept experiments in a human cell line and in mouse embryonic stem cells. We demonstrate that retrovirus-mediated protein transfer (RPT), retrovirus-mediated mRNA transfer (RMT), and retrovirus-mediated episome transfer (RET) represent powerful methodologies for transient protein delivery or protein expression. Furthermore, we describe complementary strategies to augment ZFN activity after gamma-retroviral transduction, including serial transduction, proteasome inhibition, and hypothermia. Depending on vector dose and target cell type, gene disruption frequencies of up to 15% were achieved with RPT and RMT, and >50% gene knockout after RET. In summary, non-integrating gamma-retroviral vectors represent a versatile tool to transiently deliver ZFNs to human and mouse cells.en-USJournal Article2014-05-0610.1038/srep04656