trans-Cyclohexane-1,2-diol (TCHD) is a transient dilator of the nuclear pore complex (NPC). It interacts with the hydrophobic core (FG nucleoporin) of the NPC, which disrupts the NPC structure and reversibly increases the permeability of the nuclear pore. This allows macromolecules larger than 40 kDa, such as plasmid DNA, to enter the cell nucleus by passive diffusion, thereby enhancing the nuclear import efficiency of non-viral vectors.
- Can improve the efficiency of in vitro electrotransfection or lipid-mediated gene transfection.
- Significantly increases gene expression in differentiated airway epithelial cells.