Encapsulation of the UV-DNA repair enzyme T4 endonuclease V in liposomes and delivery to human cells.

T4 endonuclease V, a pyrimidine-dimer-specific DNA repair enzyme, was encapsulated in liposomes under mild conditions. The encapsulated enzyme was active, and when applied to ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated human cells in culture, the liposomes increased incision of UV-irradiated cellular DNA, enhanced DNA repair replication, and enhanced survival of UV-irradiated cells. This method is a first step in a new approach for topical application of DNA repair enzymes to human skin to prevent skin cancer.