Liposome-mediated gene transfer in fish embryos

Liposome-mediated gene transfer was used to introduce large DNA constructs into zygotes of African catfish. The technique is based on the delivery of recombinant bacteriophage lambda particles (or DNA-protamine complexes) into the cytoplasm of target cells by negatively charged, large unilamellar liposomes. Dechorionated zygotes and early fish embryos were treated with the transforming liposomes. Expression of the introduced reporter genes during the first three weeks of the development of the larvae was followed by measuring the activity of corresponding enzymes. These assays have indicated very efficient DNA uptake into the embryos.