What are self-inactivating (SIN) retroviral vectors (Retro-X Q Vectors)?
What are self-inactivating (SIN) retroviral vectors (Retro-X Q Vectors)?
SIN vectors have a 5' LTR that is active in transfected cells but inactive in transduced cells. During packaging, the 5' LTR is active and generates multiple copies of viral genomic mRNA molecules, which are packaged into retroviral particles. When cells are infected with the packaged virus, reverse transcription transfers a U3 deletion from the 3' LTR to the 5' LTR, thus inactivating it in the integrated proviral DNA.
The GOI and drug resistance expression cassettes of the Retro-X Q Vectors in transduced cells are driven from internal promoters only.
If a Retro-X Q Vector is introduced into the cells via transfection, its 5' LTR will be active.