Gene Delivery into Neuronal Cells by Calcium Phosphate-Mediated Transfection

This paper describes a method for introducing DNA constructs into primary adult dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron cultures. The method uses a modified calcium phosphate technique and enables relatively small numbers of cells to be used. We have used this method to study the promoter sequences responsible for mediating gene activity and nerve growth factor responsiveness in DRG neurons. It can also be used, however, for other purposes such as testing the effect on neuronal function of overexpressing a specific gene product.