Process of transfecting a cell with a polynucleotide mixed with an amphipathic compound and a DNA-binding protein

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention includes a process of transfecting a polynucleotide into a cell for expression by associating a selected cell with an amphipathic compound, an effective amount of a polynucleotide-binding protein and a selected polynucleotide, in solution.
The term "transfecting" means that a polynucleotide becomes associated with a selected cell.
The polynucleotide can be on the membrane of the cell or inside the cytoplasm, nucleus, or other organelle of the cell.
Other terms sometimes used interchangeably with transfecting include "delivering" or "transferring" a cell.
The polynucleotide is delivered to the cell by associating the cell with one or more amphipathic compounds along with a polynucleotide-binding protein in a solution.
The term "associating" means to put in communication with or to place in close proximity.
The term "polynucleotide" is a term of art that refers to a string of at least two base-sugar-phosphate combinations.
Nucleotides are the monomeric units of nucleic acid polymers.
The term includes deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) in the from of an oligonucleotide, messenger RNA, anti-sense, plasmid DNA, parts of a plasmid DNA or genetic material derived from a virus.
The selected cell can be a mammalian cell that is within the tissue in situ; the cell could also be removed and maintained in tissue culture in a primary, secondary, immortalized or transformed state.
The amphipathic compound is a linear molecule with a polar first end causing that end to be hydrophilic (water-soluble); the second end is nonpolar and therefore hydrophobic (water-insoluble).
The amphipathic compound can be cationic or incorporated into a liposome that is cationic or anionic.
In one embodiment, the amphipathic compound is a non-natural polyamine.
"Non-natural", in this application, means that, for example, the compound is not found in living matter.
As contrasted with "natural" which in this application refers to a compound that is derived from animal or plant tissue directly or by recombinant means