A Novel T-type Overhangs Improve the Enzyme-Free Cloning of PCR Products

PCR product cloning is the foundational technology for almost all fields in the life sciences. Numerous innovative methods have been designed during the past few decades. Enzyme-free cloning is the only one that avoids post-amplification enzymatic treatments, making the technique reliable and cost effective. However, the complementary staggered overhangs used in enzyme-free cloning tend to result in self-ligation of the vector under some circumstances. Here, we describe a “T-type” enzyme-free cloning method: instead of designing the complementary staggered overhangs used in conventional enzyme-free cloning, we create “T-type” overhangs that reduce the possibility of self-ligation and are more convenient for multi-vector cloning. In this study, we systematically optimize “T-type” enzyme-free cloning, compare its cloning background with that in conventional enzyme-free cloning, and demonstrate a promising application of this technique in multi-vector cloning. Our method simplifies post-amplification procedures and greatly reduces cost, offering a competitive option for PCR product cloning.     

基因克隆的方法进展

基因克隆一般分为定位克隆和表型克隆。表型克隆进展较快,主要有消减杂交、代表性差异分析法、mRNA差异显示、DNA转染法及抑制消减杂交法。抑制消减杂交法是1996年报道的一种表型克隆的新方法,是目前寻找差异表达基因的较有效方法,较过去的方法有许多先进之外。本文对此方法的原理及应用作一详细介绍,并与其他方法作简单比较。     

The terminal 5′ phosphate and proximate phosphorothioate promote ligation‐independent cloning

Function studies of many proteins are waited to develop after genome sequencing. High‐throughout technology of gene cloning will strongly promote proteins' function studies. Here we describe a ligation‐independent cloning (LIC) method, which is based on the amplification of target gene and linear vector by PCR using phosphorothioate‐modified primers and the digestion of PCR products by λ exonuclease. The phosphorothioate inhibits the digestion and results in the generation of 3′ overhangs, which are designed to form complementary double‐stranded DNA between target gene and linear vector. We compared our phosphorothioate primer cloning methods with several LIC methods, including dU primer cloning, hybridization cloning, T4 DNA polymerase cloning, and in vivo recombination cloning. The cloning efficiency of these LIC methods are as follows: phosphorothioate primer cloning > dU primer cloning > hybridization cloning > T4 DNA polymerase cloning >> in vivo recombination cloning. Our result shows that the 3′ overhangs is a better cohesive end for LIC than 5′ overhang and the existence of 5′phosphate promotes DNA repair in Escherichia coli, resulting in the improvement of cloning efficiency of LIC. We succeeded in constructing 156 expression plasmids of Aeropyrum pernix genes within a week using our method.     

植物基因克隆的策略和方法

本文介绍了功能克隆,定位克隆,表型克隆等９种克隆植物基因的方法,着重分析了每项克隆方法的工作原理,应用范围和进展     

植物基因克隆的策略和方法

本文介绍了功能克隆,定位克隆,表型克隆等9种克隆植物基因的方法,着重分析了每项克隆方法的工作原理,应用范围和进展。     

Knowledge and attitudes toward human cloning in Israel

The success of mammal cloning in 1997 has brought the issue of human cloning into public discussion. Human cloning has several aspects and potential applications for use in both reproductive and non-reproductive matters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes toward human cloning in Israel. Data from 120 respondents (68 health professionals and 52 non-health professionals), all Jewish, Hebrew speaking with at least 15 years of education each, were collected using two questionnaires that dealt with knowledge and attitudes toward human cloning. Results showed that although health professionals had significantly more knowledge that non-health professionals, all respondents had poor knowledge about cloning. No difference in attitudes was found between the groups. Most respondents opposed human cloning, but more positive attitudes toward non-reproductive cloning were found. The results are discussed in the context of the deficit model. The findings indicate a need to provide information about human cloning to allow people to form their attitudes based on factual knowledge.     

Ethical issues in animal cloning

The issue of human reproductive cloning has recently received a great deal attention in public discourse. Bioethicists, policy makers, and the media have been quick to identify the key ethical issues involved in human reproductive cloning and to argue, almost unanimously, for an international ban on such attempts. Meanwhile, scientists have proceeded with extensive research agendas in the cloning of animals. Despite this research, there has been little public discussion of the ethical issues raised by animal cloning projects. Polling data show that the public is decidedly against the cloning of animals. To understand the public's reaction and fill the void of reasoned debate about the issue, we need to review the possible objections to animal cloning and assess the merits of the anti-animal cloning stance. Some objections to animal cloning (e.g., the impact of cloning on the population of unwanted animals) can be easily addressed, while others (e.g., the health of cloned animals) require more serious attention by the public and policy makers.     

Knowledge and attitudes toward human cloning in Israel

Abstract

The success of mammal cloning in 1997 has brought the issue of human cloning into public discussion. Human cloning has several aspects and potential applications for use in both reproductive and non-reproductive matters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes toward human cloning in Israel. Data from 120 respondents (68 health professionals and 52 non-health professionals), all Jewish, Hebrew speaking with at least 15 years of education each, were collected using two questionnaires that dealt with knowledge and attitudes toward human cloning. Results showed that although health professionals had significantly more knowledge than non-health professionals, all respondents had poor knowledge about cloning. No difference in attitudes was found between the groups. Most respondents opposed human cloning, but more positive attitudes toward non-reproductive cloning were found. The results are discussed in the context of the deficit model. The findings indicate a need to provide information about human cloning to allow people to form their attitudes based on factual knowledge.     

Exponential Megapriming PCR (EMP) Cloning—Seamless DNA Insertion into Any Target Plasmid without Sequence Constraints

We present a fast, reliable and inexpensive restriction-free cloning method for seamless DNA insertion into any plasmid without sequence limitation. Exponential megapriming PCR (EMP) cloning requires two consecutive PCR steps and can be carried out in one day. We show that EMP cloning has a higher efficiency than restriction-free (RF) cloning, especially for long inserts above 2.5 kb. EMP further enables simultaneous cloning of multiple inserts.     

Human cloning: category, dignity, and the role of bioethics

Human cloning has been simultaneously a running joke for massive worldwide publicity of fringe groups like the Raelians, and the core issue of an international movement at the United Nations in support of a treaty to ban the use of cloning techniques to produce a child (so called reproductive cloning). Yet, even though debates on human cloning have greatly increased since the birth of Dolly, the clone sheep, in 1997, we continue to wonder whether cloning is after all any different from other methods of medically assisted reproduction, and what exactly makes cloning an 'affront to the dignity of humans.' Categories we adopt matter mightily as they inform but can also misinform and lead to mistaken and unproductive decisions. And thus bioethicists have a responsibility to ensure that the proper categories are used in the cloning debates and denounce those who try to win the ethical debate through well-crafted labels rather than well-reasoned argumentations. But it is as important for bioethicists to take a position on broad issues such as human cloning and species altering interventions. One 'natural question' would be, for example, should there be an international treaty to ban human reproductive cloning?     

合成生物学中不依赖限制性内切酶的分子克隆策略

随着合成生物学的兴起和发展,基因克隆和DNA大片段组装成为了常规操作。利用人工智能和液体操作机器人进行高通量的DNA组装和功能筛选已被广泛应用。传统的依赖于限制性内切酶识别位点的克隆技术对序列有选择性、步骤繁琐、实验人员的培训周期长,不利于以流水线形式进行工程化使用,已经逐步在生物工程领域内被淘汰。文中论述了一系列适于机械化操作的新一代分子克隆技术,即不依赖基因序列和连接反应克隆方法、Gibson组装、聚合酶环形延伸克隆、细胞裂解物体外无痕连接和细胞体内组装克隆。对这些方法的建立、基本原理及应用前景等方面进行了总结,并对其优缺点进行了比较。     

Universal CG cloning of polymerase chain reaction products

Single-insert cloning of DNA fragments without restriction enzymes has traditionally been achieved using TA cloning, with annealing of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fragment containing a single overhanging 3′ A to a plasmid vector containing a 3′ T. In this article, we show that the analogous “CG cloning” is faster and far more efficient, using AhdI to generate a C-vector. For an afternoon ligation, CG cloning achieved double the cloning efficiency and more than 4-fold the number of transformants compared with TA cloning. However, blunt-end ligation was markedly more efficient than both. CG cloning could prove to be extremely useful for single-copy high-throughput cloning.     

Enzyme Free Cloning for high throughput gene cloning and expression

Structural and functional genomics initiatives significantly improved cloning methods over the past few years. Although recombinational cloning is highly efficient, its costs urged us to search for an alternative high throughput (HTP) cloning method. We implemented a modified Enzyme Free Cloning (EFC) procedure, a PCR-only method that eliminates all variables other than PCR efficiency by circumventing enzymatic treatments. We compared the cloning efficiency of EFC with that of Ligation Independent Cloning (LIC). Both methods are well suited for HTP cloning, but EFC yields three times more transformants and a cloning efficiency of 91%, comparable with recombinational cloning methods and significantly better than LIC (79%). EFC requires only nanogram amounts of both vector and insert, does not require highly competent cells and is, in contrast to LIC, largely insensitive to variations in PCR product concentration. Automated protein expression screening of expression strains directly transformed with EFC reactions showed, that the traditional preceding step via a cloning strain can be circumvented. EFC proves an efficient and robust HTP cloning method, that is compatible with existing Ligation Independent Cloning vectors, and highly suitable for automation.     

Animal cloning applications and issues

Significant progress in the field of biotechnology has allowed for the use of cloning in animals which is being used: to improve genetic makeup, to rescue endangered species, in tissue engineering and to increase farm animal population. Unfortunately, cloning has been met with failure due to a variety of reasons namely early and late abortions, compromised immune systems, circulatory and respiratory problems and a high rate of fetal death. The reasons of these problems are unknown, but may research groups are attempting to understand the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in cloning efficiency. Atypical epigenetic re-programming appears to be the primary cause of ineffective cloning. Understanding molecular mechanisms involving key regulatory proteins is pivotal in the success of animal cloning. This review shows the current paradigm involving animal cloning efficiency, and also further elucidates applications to improve animal cloning efficiency.     

使用与Gateway技术兼容的T载体获得入门克隆

与Gateway技术兼容的农杆菌双元载体系统已开始应用于植物功能基因组的研究,但应用这些载体系统的一个瓶颈问题,是如何简单、经济和高效地将PCR产物或其他来源的目的DNA片段构建到入门载体上获得入门克隆.为此,将传统的TA克隆技术与Gateway重组克隆技术进行整合,构建了与Gateway技术兼容的两种TA克隆载体,用于在克隆PCR产物或其他来源的目的DNA片段的同时获得入门克隆.利用兼容Gateway技术的TA克隆载体有效地解决了上述瓶颈问题.     

动物克隆的机理与研究进展

对动物克隆的理论基础进行了探讨,综述了在动物克隆时,供体核的基因组再程序化的可能作用机制,对动物克隆尤其是喷乳动物克隆研究进展进行了深入的总结和分析,并对其应用前景作了展望。     

pKILLIN: a versatile positive-selection cloning vector based on the toxicity of Killin in Escherichia coli

The invention of DNA cloning over 40 years ago marked the advent of molecular biology. The technique has now become a routine practice in any modern biomedical laboratory. Although positive-selection of recombinants in DNA cloning seems to be superior to blue/white selection based on the disruption of the lacZ gene, it is rarely practiced due to its high background, lack of multiple cloning sites, and inability to express the genes of interest or purify the protein products. Here we report the creation of a new positive-selection cloning vector dubbed pKILLIN, which overcomes all of the above pitfalls. The essence behind its high cloning efficiency is the extreme toxicity and small size of the toxic domain of killin, a recently discovered p53 target gene. Insertion inactivation of killin within the multiple cloning site via either blunt- or sticky-end ligation not only serves as a highly efficient cloning trap, but also may allow any cloned genes to be expressed as His-tagged fusion proteins for subsequent purification. Thus, pKILLIN is a versatile positive-selection vector ideal for cloning PCR products, making DNA libraries, as well as routine cloning and bacterial expression of genes.     

Golden GATEway Cloning – A Combinatorial Approach to Generate Fusion and Recombination Constructs

The design and generation of DNA constructs is among the necessary but generally tedious tasks for molecular biologists and, typically, the cloning strategy is restricted by available restriction sites. However, increasingly sophisticated experiments require increasingly complex DNA constructs, with an intricacy that exceeds what is achievable using standard cloning procedures. Many transgenes such as inducible gene cassettes or recombination elements consist of multiple components that often require precise in-frame fusions. Here, we present an efficient protocol that facilitates the generation of these complex constructs. The golden GATEway cloning approach presented here combines two established cloning methods, namely golden Gate cloning and Multisite Gateway^TM cloning. This allows efficient and seamless assembly as well as reuse of predefined DNA elements. The golden Gate cloning procedure follows clear and simple design rules and allows the assembly of multiple fragments with different sizes into one open reading frame. The final product can be directly integrated into the widely used Multisite Gateway^TM cloning system, granting more flexibility when using a transgene in the context of multiple species. This adaptable and streamlined cloning procedure overcomes restrictions of “classical construct generation” and allows focusing on construct design.     

Abortion rhetoric in American news coverage of the human cloning debate

Abstract

The issue of human cloning has received intense media and political attention since the cloning of Dolly the sheep was announced in 1997. This research explores the discursive basis for support and opposition to human cloning by examining the role of abortion-related rhetoric in constructing the concept of human cloning within the American press. An in-depth content analysis of human cloning news coverage was conducted on a sample of articles collected from the mainstream press as well as advocacy publications with either a pro-science or Christian fundamentalist orientation. Statistically significant differences were found indicating an important role for abortion rhetoric in the human cloning debate. This expansion of abortion rhetoric into the domain of science policy portends a unique and growing problem for resolving bioethical debates within American politics over the future development of biomedical technologies such as human cloning.