Molecular mechanism of Lipofectamine 3000

Lipid-based transfection is based on the electrostatic interaction between DNA-transfection reagent complexes and the cell membrane. Here, reagent P3000 plays a crucial role. After this interaction, complexes enter the cell via endocytosis, leading to the formation of an endosome. In normal circumstances, this endosome will mature and turn into a lysosome which will degrade DNA. But Lipofectamine 3000 will supress that transformation and will help DNA to escape the endosome for its subsequent shuttling to the nucleus, where again reagent P3000 will play an important role. Have a look at Figure 1 to see a schematic view of the process.

Figure 1. Schematic view of the Lipofectamine 3000 molecular mechanism.