Transcriptional stimulation by CaPO4-DNA precipitates

Abstract
Genes in human chromosomes that normally require induction by α-interferon are activated after calcium phospate (CaPO4) transfection, but not after DEAE-dextran transfection. The c-fos gene and genes stimulated by γ-interferon also are affected by CaPO4-DNA precipitates, but the calcium ionophore A23187 stimulates only c-fos among this group. These results suggest caution not only in choosing gene transfer methods, but also in interpreting experiments aimed at understanding the role of second messengers in gene activation.