DNA and gene therapy: uncoating of polyoma pseudovirus in mouse embryo cells

Pseudovirions (host DNA fragments encapsidated by polyoma virus-coat protein) and polyoma virions are produced after infection of primary mouse embryo cells with polyoma virus. Purified pseudovirions are adsorbed to, and uncoated by, mouse embryo cells. The evidence for this uncoating is based on the conversion by pancreatic DNase of the uncoated pseudovirus DNA from an acid-insoluble to an acid-soluble form. The implications of these experiments to the eventual use of DNA for gene therapy are discussed.