The use of sonication for the efficient delivery of plasmid DNA into cells

Purpose. Ultrasonic methods have considerable potential for the introduction of macromolecules into cells. In this paper we demonstrate that, under controlled conditions, application of 20kHz ultrasound to a suspension of yeast cells facilitates the delivery of plasmid DNA into these cells. Methods. Aliquots of growing yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisae, strain AH22) were suspended in buffer and exposed to 20kHz ultrasound from a laboratory (probe-type) sonicator in the presence of microgram quantities of plasmid DNA. Efficiency of DNA delivery was scored as the number of cells transformed. Results. Cell transformation was optimal at 30 seconds sonication using an output of 2.0 wafts and resulted in a 20 fold enhancement over control values. At extended sonication times, fewer cells showed evidence of transformation because of reduced cell viability. The increased DNA uptake and the decreased cell viability were both attributable to acoustic cavitation events during sonication. The extent of acoustic cavitation was measured and it was found that there was an increase in cavitation events with increased sonication time. Cell viability was shown to be directly related to the number of cavitation events. The effects of sonication on plasmid DNA were investigated and indicated that the structural integrity of plasmid DNA was unaffected by the sonication conditions employed. Conclusions. Under controlled conditions, ultrasound is an effective means of delivering plasmid DNA into cells. The subsequent expression of DNA molecules in cells depends upon a balance between transient cell damage and cell death.