The MISSION^® shRNA product line is centered on a transfer vector-based RNAi library against annotated mouse and human genes that can be used in conjunction with this Lentiviral Packaging Mix. In this packaging system, the pseudo-typing with VSV-G broadens the viral tropism associated with the virus. Therefore, these lentiviral particles can efficiently deliver the transfer sequence of interest to a wide variety of cell types, including primary and non-dividing cells.

The MISSION^® Lentiviral Packaging Mix is an optimized formulation of two plasmids expressing the key HIV packaging genes and a heterologous viral envelope gene.

Lentiviral particles are generated from three main components:

• The packaging vector, which contains the minimal set of lentiviral genes required to generate the virion structural proteins and packaging functions.
• The vesicular stomatitis virus G-protein envelope vector, which provides the heterologous envelope for pseudotyping.
• The shRNA transfer vector, which contains the sequence of interest as well as the cis acting sequences necessary for RNA production and packaging.

The Lentiviral Packaging Mix contains the first two components; it is designed to be co-transfected along with a compatible lentiviral transfer vector in order to create high-titer pseudo-typed lentiviral particles used for downstream transduction applications.

MISSION^® Lentiviral Packaging Mix has been used to incubate plasmids before addition to human embryonic kidney cells 293 expressing the large T antigen (293T cells) and to pack lentivirus into 293T cells.

Lentiviral particles are produced using a third-generation packaging system, which has many features that lead to enhanced biosafety. Recombinant lentiviruses produced with the MISSION Lentiviral Packaging Mix have not been shown to produce replication competent viral particles because of designed safety features. Users should consult and observe their own institutional guidelines before working with such viral systems.

Use of this product is subject to one or more license agreements. For details, please see http://sigmaaldrich.com/missionlicense .

MISSION is a registered trademark of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany