A non-viral vector for potential DMD gene therapy study by targeting a minidystrophin-GFP fusion gene into the hrDNA locus

Gene therapy has emerged as a promising approach for the lethal disorder of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Using a novel non-viral delivery system, the human ribosomal DNA (hrDNA) targeting vector, we targeted a minidystrophin-GFP fusion gene into the hrDNA locus of HT1080 cells with a high site-specific integrated efficiency of 10(-5), in which the transgene could express efficiently and continuously. The minidystrophin-GFP fusion protein was easily found to localize on the plasma membrane of HT1080 cells, indicating its possible physiologic performance. Our findings showed that the hrDNA-targeting vector might be highly useful for DMD gene therapy study.