Gene silencing using RNAi is critically dependent on highly efficient delivery of shRNA or siRNAs into cells. It is well known that polymers, but not cationic lipids, protect DNA in the cytoplasm and promote entry into the nucleus (1) of transfected cells.

Arrest-In™ transfection reagent is a proprietary lipo-polymeric formulation, developed and optimized for transfection of shRNA plasmid DNA into the nucleus of cultured eukaryotic cells. Arrest-In also provides an enhanced uptake efficiency of the shRNA plasmid DNA into cells. Once in the cells, Arrest-In  promotes the entry of the shRNA containing plasmid into the nucleus where it is transcribed into a hairpin, enters the cytoplasm, is processed by the endogenous RNAi machinery into functional siRNAs. Features include:

• Unique polymeric formulation optimized for high efficiency delivery of shRNA
• High transfection efficiency in adherent and suspension cell lines
• Minimal cytotoxicity
• Superior to popular commercial reagents in most cell lines tested
• Also available as rhodamine-conjugated (Fluorescent) Arrest-In

Gene silencing using Arrest-In transfection reagent

An example of successful gene silencing using Arrest-In transfection reagent and a shRNAmir directed against mouse VEGF. Over 90% knockdown of VEGF protein was detected compared to non- silencing control.

Comparison of Arrest-In transfection reagents against commercially available transfection reagents

Arrest-In transfection reagent is also available packaged along with your choice of shRNA constructs and validated controls in RNAintro shRNA starter kits.