Phasmids as effective and simple tools for construction and analysis of gene libraries

Phasmid lambda pMYF131, a hybrid of phage lambda vectors and plasmid pUC19, was constructed. The phasmid and its derivatives were shown to be efficient vectors for construction and analysis of gene libraries in Escherichia coli cells. The lambda pMYF131 DNA molecule contains all the genes and regions essential for phage lytic development. The plasmid cannot be packaged either in the monomeric or the oligomeric form due to its specific length. Elongation of the DNA molecule by ligation with fragments of foreign DNA can make it packageable and this is easily detected by plaque formation. Hence, the procedures used to construct genomic libraries can be simplified by selection of only recombinant DNA molecules just at the time and on the basis of their packaging in vitro. The output of recombinant clones per vector molecule was several times higher for vector lambda pMYF131, compared to phage vector lambda L47.1AB, and attained 3 x 10(6) clones per micrograms DNA. Vector and recombinant phasmids can be obtained in large quantities in plasmid form. lambda pMYF131 contains nine unique restriction sites which allow the cloning of DNA fragments with blunt ends and of fragments with various types of cohesive ends, obtained by digestion with 14 prototype restriction enzymes. The maximal size of the cloned DNA fragments is approx. 20 kb for lambda pMYF131. Phasmid vectors were used to construct libraries of bovine, pig and quail genomes, and genomic libraries of 17 species of bacteria. Application of suitable methods allowed the identification 13 individual genes within these libraries.     

A simple,rapid, efficient and inexpensive strategy for sequencing clones from cDNA libraries

In this report, we describe a simple, rapid, efficient and inexpensive strategy for sequencing inserted DNAs from clones of cDNA or gDNA libraries. This strategy uses PCR products directly amplified from transformed bacterial colonies, with universal primers within the vector. The method can be applied for sequencing cDNA or gDNA libraries with up to 4 ∼ 5 kb insert sizes, without overnight liquid culture or plasmid DNA preparation steps. We successfully used this method to analyze clones from full-length, enriched cDNA libraries. Although simple, following this strategy will significantly help researchers to avoid unnecessary steps in the analysis of a cDNA library.     

A method for the preparation of normalized cDNA libraries enriched with full-length sequences

We developed a new method for the preparation of normalized cDNA libraries enriched with full-length sequences. It is based on the properties of the recently characterized duplex-specific nuclease from the hepatopancreas of the Kamchatka crab. The duplex-specific nuclease is thermostable, it effectively cleaves double-stranded DNA and is inactive toward single-stranded DNA (Shagin et al., Genome Res., 2002, vol. 12, pp. 1935-1942). Our method enables the normalization of cDNA samples enriched with full-length sequences without use of laborious and ineffective stages of physical separation. The efficiency of the method was demonstrated in model experiments using cDNA samples from several human tissues.     

New pUC-derived expression vectors for rapid construction of cDNA libraries

We have constructed a new series of the pUC-derived plasmids with an extended polylinker obtained from M13tg131 [Kieny et al., Gene 26 (1983) 91-99]. These vectors allowed us to design a simplified version of the method of Okayama and Berg [Mol. Cell. Biol. 2 (1982) 161-170] for establishing complete cDNA libraries. Improvements included easy recovery of the inserted cDNA due to the extended polylinkers; use of these vectors for gene expression in Escherichia coli, and amenability to supercoil sequencing with the universal primers of the M13 system [Chen and Seeburg, DNA 4 (1985) 165-170], which speeds up the identification of positive clones. Moreover, there is no need for an additional linker fragment, as was required by the Okayama and Berg [Mol. Cell. Biol. 2 (1982) 161-170] method. We have successfully used this system to obtain cDNA clones coding for the different chains of the large basement membrane proteins type IV collagen and laminin.     

A method for the preparation of normalized cDNA libraries enriched with full-length sequences

We developed a new method for the preparation of normalized cDNA libraries enriched with full-length sequences. It is based on the properties of the recently characterized duplex-specific nuclease from the hepatopancreas of the Kamchatka crab. The duplex-specific nuclease is thermostable, effectively cleaves double-stranded DNA, and is inactive toward single-stranded DNA (Shagin et al., Genome Res., 2002, vol. 12, pp. 1935–1942). Our method enables the normalization of cDNA samples enriched with full-length sequences without use of laborious and ineffective stages of physical separation. The efficiency of the method was demonstrated in model experiments using cDNA samples from several human tissues.__________Translated from Bioorganicheskaya Khimiya, Vol. 31, No. 2, 2005, pp. 186–194.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Zhulidov, Bogdanova, Shcheglov, Shagina, Wagner, Khazpekov, Kozhemyako, Lukyanov, Shagin.     

高产紫杉醇菌株的诱变选育及其差异表达基因消减cDNA文库的构建

[目的]选育高产紫杉醇菌株,并构建选育到的高产紫杉醇菌株与出发菌株HD1-3差异表达的cDNA消减文库.[方法]分别采用硫酸二乙酯和紫外线与硫酸二乙酯复合诱变处理菌株HD1-3孢子;以选育到的高产紫杉醇菌株为tester,菌株HD1-3为driver,应用抑制性消减杂交技术构建选育到的高产紫杉醇菌株与菌株HD1-3差异表达的cDNA消减文库.[结果]试验确定的Nodulisporium sylviforme紫杉醇产生菌HD1-3孢子复合诱变的适宜条件为:将106cfu/mL孢子悬液经过8%硫酸二乙酯处理15 min后,在电磁搅拌下,用紫外灯(30 w,距离30 cm)照射处理45 s,获得了1株遗传性状稳定、高产紫杉醇的突变株--UD14-11,其紫杉醇产量从出发菌株HD1-3的232.73±4.61μg/L提高至312.81±7.51μg/L;构建的文库滴度为1.2×107cfu/mL,阳性克隆率75.3%,片段大小主要集中在300 bp-1.0kb.[结论]选育到了1株遗传性状稳定、高产紫杉醇突变株;成功地构建了高产紫杉醇菌株UD14-11与菌株HD1-3差异表达的cDNA消减文库,为寻找、分离微生物生物合成紫杉醇相关基因和利用基因工程或代谢工程手段定向设计改造菌株奠定基础.     

A rapid procedure for the construction of PCR cDNA libraries from small amounts of plant tissue

We describe a general method for the preparation of λZAP II cDNA libraries from very small amounts (<50 mg) of plant tissue. We have achieved this by combining an efficient method for RNA extraction with a modified PCR protocol for the synthesis and amplification of cDNA. Using this protocol we have found it possible to generate cDNA libraries containing more than 10⁶ clones from as little as 1 μg of total RNA.     

一种快速、简便、高效cDNA合成及克隆策略

以鱼呼肠孤病毒双链ＲＮＡ为模板,建立一种快速、简便、高效的ｃＤＮＡ合成及克隆策略。在一定量模板条件下,采用随机六聚体为引物合成ｃＤＮＡ第一链。以退火方式形成双链ｃＤＮＡ,直接通过琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测其ｃＤＮＡ合成产量。双链ｃＤＮＡ经两端补齐后,平头连接于具有阳性选择标记的载体中,以高效电转化的方式进行快速克隆。     

A powerful method for the preparation of cDNA libraries: isolation of cDNA encoding a 100-kDal nucleolar protein

An easy and quick method to synthesize large cDNA molecules and to clone them with very high efficiency in the expression vector lambda gt11 is described. The technique employs RNase H and Escherichia coli DNA ligase treatment during second-strand synthesis, followed by repair of the ds cDNA extremities by S1 nuclease and PolIk (Klenow fragment) treatment. This treatment allows efficient addition of suitable linkers and results in a 100-fold increase in the yield of cloned cDNA, when compared with other published techniques. Using 75 ng of poly(A)+ RNA from CHO cells, we have prepared a library of 1.1 X 10(7) clones. This library was screened with polyclonal antibodies raised against a 100-kDal nucleolar protein of CHO cells. Five recombinants were isolated with inserts of 500-2500 bp. The average size of cDNA obtained by this method is considerable: the 2500-bp cDNA represents 90% of the mRNA coding for the 100-kDal protein.