Construction of a recombinant vector based on AAV carrying human endothelial nitric-oxide synthase gene.

Aim: To construct an AAV based vector carrying human endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) cDNA and study its expression in vitro for future gene therapy.

Methods: eNOS cDNA was inserted into the EcoR I site of pSNAV-1 containing the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter and inverted terminal repeat sequences of adeno-associated virus. The constructed vector was transfected into BHK and C2C12 cells. eNOS cDNA and mRNA were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), respectively.

Results: By restriction enzyme digestion analysis, it was proved that eNOS cDNA was inserted into pSNAV-1 in a proper direction. PCR detection demonstrated that pSNAV-eNOS was transferred into both BHK and C2C12 cells. RT-PCR analysis showed that these pSNAV-eNOS transfected cells could express eNOS mRNA.

Conclusion: pSNAV-eNOS was successfully constructed with the ability to express human eNOS mRNA in cultured mammalian cells.