biostudies-literatureMidorikawa KMEXT | Japan Science and Technology Agency271https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6342927biostudies-literatureUnknown9(1)Non-viral gene carriers have been extensively investigated as alternatives to viral vectors for gene delivery systems into animal and plant cells. A non-viral gene carrier containing a cell-penetrating peptide and a cationic sequence was previously developed for use in intact plants and plant cells; however, the permeation pathway of the gene carrier into plant cells is yet to be elucidated, which would facilitate the improvement of the gene delivery efficiency. Here, we identified the vacuum/compression infiltration-mediated permeation pathway of a non-viral gene carrier into plant tissues and cells using a complex of plasmid DNA and a peptide-based gene carrier. This complex was taken up via the hydathodes in Arabidopsis thaliana, and from root hairs in Nicotiana benthamiana. Remarkably,Scientific reportsVacuum/Compression Infiltration-mediated Permeation Pathway of a Peptide-pDNA Complex as a Non-Viral Carrier for Gene Delivery in Planta.PMC6342927ERATONumata KKodama YMidorikawa KfalseVacuum/Compression Infiltration-mediated Permeation Pathway of a Peptide-pDNA Complex as a Non-Viral Carrier for Gene Delivery in Planta.Non-viral gene carriers have been extensively investigated as alternatives to viral vectors for gene delivery systems into animal and plant cells. A non-viral gene carrier containing a cell-penetrating peptide and a cationic sequence was previously developed for use in intact plants and plant cells; however, the permeation pathway of the gene carrier into plant cells is yet to be elucidated, which would facilitate the improvement of the gene delivery efficiency. Here, we identified the vacuum/compression infiltration-mediated permeation pathway of a non-viral gene carrier into plant tissues and cells using a complex of plasmid DNA and a peptide-based gene carrier. This complex was taken up via the hydathodes in Arabidopsis thaliana, and from root hairs in Nicotiana benthamiana. Remarkably,2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Jan2025-04-04T11:59:14.164Z2019-03-26T22:39:36ZS-EPMC63429273067073510.1038/s41598-018-36466-1