Aim:To investigate the specific effects of Ca2+ on transgene expression during electroporation-mediated gene transfer in mice.Methods:Skeletal muscle and skin were subjected to in vivo electroporation with a luciferase reporter plasmid,with or Without Ca2+ and various other ions.Resuits:For in vivo electroporation,the presence of just 10 mmol/L Ca2+ in the DNA solution drastically reduced the resulting transgene expression,to less than 5% of control values.Only Ca2+,not other ions,caused inhibition,and the effect was not tissue specific.More surprisingly.even when Ca2+ ions were delivered by electroporation before or after DNA administration,similar effects were still observed.Conelusion:The inhibitory effect of Ca2+ on in vivo gene transfer by electroporation is specific,ie,the inhibitory effect may be related to the cell membrane properties after electroporation and the subsequent resealing event.