JUMPING genes could provide gene therapists with a safer way of getting DNA
into cells than using modified viruses, says Mark Kay of the Stanford University
School of Medicine.
Kay and his colleagues put a gene that promotes blood clotting into a jumping
gene or 鈥渢ransposon鈥濃�攁 piece of DNA that can move about within the genome.
This, along with the gene for the enzyme that inserts the transposon into the
genome, was injected into the livers of haemophilic mice.
The transposon was integrated into the genomes of about 5 per cent of the
cells (Nature Genetics, vol 25, p 35). But because the gene for the
enzyme isn鈥檛 integrated, says Kay, the transposon should stay put after it has
been inserted, reducing the risk of other genes being affected.
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