Transient cell proliferation with polyethylenimine-cationized N-terminal domain of simian virus 40 large T-antigen

Polyethylenimine (PEI) cationization is a powerful strategy for protein transduction into cells. In this study, we attempted the artificial regulation of cell proliferation by protein transduction of the N-terminal domain (1–132 amino acids) of the simian virus 40 large T-antigen (SVLT-N), which inactivates retinoblastoma family proteins but not p53. To deliver SVLT-N into cells, we employed an indirect cationization method by forming a complex of biotynylated SVLT-N through disulfide bonds (biotin-SS-SVLT-N) and PEI-cationized avidin (PEI600-avidin). Using this complex, SVLT-N was transduced into the nucleus of confluent and quiescent Balb/c 3T3 cells and was found to be complexed with a cellular target protein, pRb. Furthermore, SVLT-N transduction induced cell proliferation in spite of confluent conditions. Because SVLT-N thus transduced into cells gradually degraded and was not detectable after a 4-d incubation, transiently transformed cells were obtained by this method. These results suggest that oncogene protein transduction technology has great potential for in vitro regulation of cell proliferation.