Fast and Effective Alternative to DNA Transfection

Stratagene’s BioTrek™ protein delivery reagent* makes it easy to introduce various proteins, peptides, and other macromolecules directly into a broad range of cell types at efficiencies of 50 to 95% in as few as three to four hours.¹

BioTrek protein delivery reagent is a highly stable and noncytotoxic lipid formulation provided in convenient, single-use vials. Just add the protein solution to the lyophilized BioTrek reagent, and the reagent interacts non-covalently with the protein, creating a protective vehicle for delivery into cells (Figure 1). When the reagent–protein mixture is applied to the target cells, reagent–protein complexes attach to negatively charged cell surfaces and either fuse directly with the plasma membrane or undergo endocytosis, delivering the proteins into the cell. Once in the cytoplasm, the reagent–protein complexes dissociate and the delivered proteins retain their biological activity.¹

Figure 2
Efficient Delivery of ß-Galactosidase into COS-7 Cells COS-7 cells were grown on eight-well LabTek RS glass chamber slides for 24 hours, and then transfected with 2 µg ß-galactosidase enzyme with and without BioTrek reagent. After a four-hour incubation period, the cells were fixed and stained for ßgalactosidase activity with X-gal reagent.
Panel A: Cells treated with ß-galactosidase enzyme without using BioTrek reagent
Panel B: Cells treated with ß-galactosidase enzyme along with BioTrek reagent. Transfection efficiencies reached approximately 95%.

BioTrek reagent also achieves excellent transfection efficiencies. Figure 2 shows the efficient delivery of ß-galactosidase into COS-7 cells. The data demonstrates transfection efficiencies of approximately 95%.

Ideal for a Variety of Applications and Difficult-to-Transfect Cells

BioTrek reagent is ideal for studies such as intracellular signaling, cell cycle regulation, control of apoptosis, oncogenesis studies, and transcription regulation. Proteins delivered with the BioTrek reagent retain their structure and function, and leave transfected cells unharmed. The reagent is especially useful when studying protein function in cells that are difficult to transfect using traditional reagents.

REFERENCE

1.   Zelphati, O., et al. (2001) J Biol Chem 276(37): 35103–35110.

Contributing Scientists:
Stratagene: Jeff Braman and Natalia Novoradovskaya

*See license reference 2

Successfully Deliver a Variety of Molecules

Using BioTrek reagent, various molecules such as fluorescent-antibodies, high- and low-molecular weight dextran sulfate, phycoerythrin-BSA, ßgalactosidase, Caspase 3, and Caspase 8 have been successfully delivered into the cytoplasm of a variety of different adherent and suspension cells. Table 1 shows cell lines that have been successfully transfected with BioTrek reagent. Translocation efficiency will vary depending on the size of the protein and cell line being used.