Cationic Liposome Inhibits Gene Expression in an E.coliCell–Free Translation System

Abstract

The role of liposome addition on the gene expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) was studied in an in vitro protein translation system in the presence of cationic liposome, prepared by 1, 2-dioleoyl-3-trimethyl-ammoniumpropane (DOTAP). GFP fluorescence after gene expression was reduced with an increase in DOTAP concentrations, and no fluorescence was observed at certain concentrations of DOTAP. It was found that neither translated GFP nor transcript mRNA for GFP were produced at the above conditions. The above results may show that the DOTAP liposome can affect the inhibition at the transcription step of the GFP synthesis process in addition to its translation and folding steps.