Lentiviral LTR-deleted vector

Abstract

A vector capable of transducing non-dividing and/or slowly dividing cells is provided, wherein the vector is a lentiviral LTR-deleted vector. Also provided is a method for producing a protein of interest in a non-dividing or slowly dividing cell by transducing the cell with a lentiviral LTR-deleted vector and expressing the protein of interest in the cell. In addition, target cells containing the lentiviral LIR-deleted vector are provided.

1 . A lentiviral vector capable of transducing a non-dividing or slowly-dividing cell, said vector comprising a lentiviral LTR-deleted vector.  
     
     
         2 . The vector according to  claim 1 , further comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein of interest.  
     
     
         3 . A method for producing a protein of interest in a non-dividing or slowly-dividing cell, comprising the steps of: 
 a) transducing the cell with the vector according to  claim 2;  and    b) expressing the protein of interest in the cell.    
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the non-dividing cell is a neuron.  
     
     
         5 . A target cell in vitro comprising the vector of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         6 . A target cell in vitro comprising the vector of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         7 . A method of performing gene delivery on a target cell comprising the steps of: 
 a) transducing the target cell with the vector according to  claim 2;  and    b) delivering the nucleotide sequence to the target cell.