Site-directed mutagenesis by combination of homologous recombination and DpnI digestion of the plasmid template in Escherichia coli

A rapid site-directed mutagenesis strategy using homologous recombination and DpnI digestion of the template in Escherichia coli is described. Briefly, inverse polymerase chain reaction amplification of the entire circular plasmid was performed by mutagenic primers with overlapping sequences ( approximately 15 bp) for generating PCR products with approximately 15 bp of homology on the terminal ends. On direct transformation of the amplified PCR products into restriction endonuclease DpnI-expressing E. coli BUNDpnI, homologous recombination occurs in E. coli while the original templates are removed via DpnI digestion in vivo, thus yielding clones harboring mutated circular plasmids. Nearly 100% efficiency was attained when this strategy was used to modify DNA sequences.     

Rapid Restriction Enzyme-Free Cloning of PCR Products: A High-Throughput Method Applicable for Library Construction

Herein, we describe a novel cloning strategy for PCR-amplified DNA which employs the type IIs restriction endonuclease BsaI to create a linearized vector with four base-long 5′-overhangs, and T4 DNA polymerase treatment of the insert in presence of a single dNTP to create vector-compatible four base-long overhangs. Notably, the insert preparation does not require any restriction enzyme treatment. The BsaI sites in the vector are oriented in such a manner that upon digestion with BsaI, a stuffer sequence along with both BsaI recognition sequences is removed. The sequence of the four base-long overhangs produced by BsaI cleavage were designed to be non-palindromic, non-compatible to each other. Therefore, only ligation of an insert carrying compatible ends allows directional cloning of the insert to the vector to generate a recombinant without recreating the BsaI sites. We also developed rapid protocols for insert preparation and cloning, by which the entire process from PCR to transformation can be completed in 6–8 h and DNA fragments ranging in size from 200 to 2200 bp can be cloned with equal efficiencies. One protocol uses a single tube for insert preparation if amplification is performed using polymerases with low 3′-exonuclease activity. The other protocol is compatible with any thermostable polymerase, including those with high 3′-exonuclease activity, and does not significantly increase the time required for cloning. The suitability of this method for high-throughput cloning was demonstrated by cloning batches of 24 PCR products with nearly 100% efficiency. The cloning strategy is also suitable for high efficiency cloning and was used to construct large libraries comprising more than 10⁸ clones/µg vector. Additionally, based on this strategy, a variety of vectors were constructed for the expression of proteins in E. coli, enabling large number of different clones to be rapidly generated.     

Directional cloning of native PCR products with preformed sticky ends (Autosticky PCR)

A novel method for the directional cloning of native PCR products was developed. Abasic sites in DNA templates make DNA polymerases stall at the site during synthesis of the complementary strand. Since the 5′ ends of PCR product strands contain built-in amplification primers, abasic sites within the primers result in the formation of 5′ single-stranded overhangs at the ends of the PCR product, enabling its direct ligation to a suitably cleaved cloning vector without any further modification. This “autosticky PCR” (AS-PCR) overcomes the problems caused by end sensitivity of restriction enzymes, or internal restriction sites within the amplified sequences, and enables the generation of essentially any desired 5′ overhang.     

Directional cloning of native PCR products with preformed sticky ends (Autosticky PCR)

A novel method for the directional cloning of native PCR products was developed. Abasic sites in DNA templates make DNA polymerases stall at the site during synthesis of the complementary strand. Since the 5′ ends of PCR product strands contain built-in amplification primers, abasic sites within the primers result in the formation of 5′ single-stranded overhangs at the ends of the PCR product, enabling its direct ligation to a suitably cleaved cloning vector without any further modification. This “autosticky PCR” (AS-PCR) overcomes the problems caused by end sensitivity of restriction enzymes, or internal restriction sites within the amplified sequences, and enables the generation of essentially any desired 5′ overhang. Received: 11 August 1998 / Accepted: 2 October 1998     

A positive screen for cloning PCR products.

We have developed a positive screen for cloning PCR products based on translational activation of lacZ. A vector with a translationally deficient lacZ alpha gene has been made by deletion of the Shine-Dalgarno sequence and initiation codon. The Shine-Dalgarno sequence and initiation codon are incorporated into one of the PCR primers to allow complementation by the PCR product of the inactive lacZ alpha gene, which results in blue transformed bacterial colonies. This screen allows more efficient detection of clones containing inserts made by PCR.     

利用DREAM设计和同源重组进行一步定点突变

目的：建立基于DREAM设计和同源重组的简便、快速定点突变方法。方法：设计两条包含突变的反向PCR（inverse PCR）引物,使其5'端互补从而产生同源重组,同时使用DREAM设计方案在上述引物中引入限制性内切酶位点以便突变子筛选。用能扩增长片段的高保真耐热 DNA聚合酶扩增全长的质粒DNA,直接转化大肠杆菌。转化到细菌中的全长质粒DNA PCR产物可利用其末端同源序列发生同源重组而环化。利用引入的酶切位点方便地进行突变子的筛选。结果：我们用该方法成功地对长度大于7 kb的质粒进行了定点突变。结论：本定点突变无需任何突变试剂盒和特殊的试剂,只需一步反应即可完成;利用DREAM设计使克隆筛选简便可靠,高保真耐热DNA聚合酶可保证多数突变子克隆不发生意外突变,而该酶扩增长片段的能力使该方法适合于大多数质粒不经亚克隆直接突变。     

Site-directed, Ligase-Independent Mutagenesis (SLIM): a single-tube methodology approaching 100% efficiency in 4 h

Site-directed, Ligase-Independent Mutagenesis (SLIM) is a novel PCR-mediated mutagenesis approach that can accommodate all three sequence modification types (insertion, deletion and substitution). The method utilizes an inverse PCR amplification of the template by two tailed long primers and two short primers in a single reaction with all steps carried out in one tube. The tailed primers are designed to contain the desired mutation on complementary overhangs at the terminus of PCR products. Upon post-amplification denaturation and re-annealing, heteroduplex formation between the mixed PCR products creates the desired clonable mutated plasmid. The technique is highly robust and suitable for applications in high-throughput gene engineering and library constructions. In this study, SLIM was employed to create sequence insertions, deletion and substitution within bacteriophage T7 gene 5. The overall efficiency for obtaining the desired product was >95%.     

A rapid and efficient PCR-based mutagenesis method applicable to cell physiology study

PCR-based mutagenesis is a cornerstone of molecular biology and protein engineering studies. Herein we describe a rapid and highly efficient mutagenesis method using type IIs restriction enzymes. A template gene is amplified into two separate PCR fragments using two pairs of anchor and mutagenic primers. Mutated sequences are located near the recognition site of a type IIs restriction enzyme. After digestion of two fragments with a type IIs enzyme, exposed cohesive ends that are complementary to each other are then ligated together to generate a mutated gene. We applied this method to introduce multiple site-directed mutations in EGFP and Bcl-2 family genes and observed perfect mutagenesis efficiency at the desired sites. This efficient and cost-effective mutagenesis method can be applied to a wide variety of structural and functional studies in cell physiology. Type IIs restriction enzyme; enhanced green fluorescent protein; Bcl-2     

A rapid method for recombination and site-specific mutagenesis by placing homologous ends on DNA using polymerase chain reaction

We have developed a novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method that permits the rapid generation of site-specific mutants and recombinant DNA constructs with a minimum number of steps and primers. DNA segments are modified by using amplifying primers that add homologous ends to the polymerase chain reaction product(s). These homologous ends undergo recombination in vivo following transformation of recA-E. coli strains used routinely in cloning. In vivo circularization of PCR products containing plasmid sequences with a selective marker permits the rapid cloning of the desired mutant or recombinant. In the mutagenesis protocol, 7 of the 12 clones contained the product of interest, and 6 of these clones had no detected error (50% of the clones without detected errors). In each of several recombination protocols, at least 50% of the clones tested contained the insert of interest without detected errors.     

Enhanced Mutant Screening in One-step PCR-based Multiple Site-directed Plasmid Mutagenesis by Introduction of Silent Restriction Sites for Structural and Functional Study of Proteins

Site-directed mutagenesis (SDM) has been widely used for studying the structure and function of proteins. A one-step polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based multiple site-directed plasmid mutagenesis method with extended non-overlapping sequence at the 3′ end of the primer increases the PCR amplification efficiency and the capacity of multi-site mutagenesis. Here, we introduced silent restriction sites in the primers used in this PCR-based SDM method by utilizing SDM-Assist software to generate mutants of Helicobacter pylori neutrophil-activating protein (HP-NAP), whose gene has low GC content. The HP-NAP mutants were efficiently generated by this modified mutagenesis method and quickly identified by a simple restriction digest due to the presence of the silent restriction site. This modified PCR-based SDM method with the introduction of a silent restriction site on the primer is efficient for generation and identification of mutations in the gene of interest.     

基于PCR的质粒快速定点诱变方法建立与评价

基因突变对生命的进化具有重要意义,针对质粒的DNA定点诱变技术也是基因工程、蛋白质工程研究中的重要手段之一。为了提高质粒定点诱变的效率,本研究利用引物部分重叠的设计方案,使用Tm值相对固定的引物设计模式,将同一引物分为重叠区（Tm=50±2℃）和非重叠区（Tm=60±2℃）,并在严格控制模板用量（2 pg/kb）的基础上,通过20个PCR循环对目标质粒进行定点诱变扩增,随后取0.5 μL产物直接用于转化。在FastPfu Fly酶系中,利用此法构建了6个含碱基替换、缺失和插入的质粒,均获得成功,突变效率可达96%以上,阳性克隆获得数达70个以上。此外,利用4种不同PCR酶系对该法的适用性进行了评价,结果表明突变效率均可达93%以上,阳性克隆获得数均在10个以上。通过适当增加PCR模板用量（10 pg/kb）并使用纯化后的PCR产物进行转化,该法可适用于转化效率大于106（cfu/μg）的任意感受态细胞,对应的突变效率可大于91%,阳性克隆获得数大于20。根据本法的作用原理,该方案适合质粒中10～20 bp（因重叠区GC含量及碱基序列的不同而改变）以内的任意碱基替换和插入,以及任意长度的DNA片段缺失。且具有通用性强、耗时少、诱变成功率高、成本低、对感受态及转化效率无特殊要求等优点,适合各实验室的日常研究使用。     

应用PCR技术对先天性长QT综合征KCNQ1 基因进行定点突变的研究

利用聚合酶链反应（PCR）技术对长QT综合征（LQTS）KCNQ1基因进行定点突变的研究。首先设计两对引物（包含预定的突变）,通过3轮PCR扩增,扩增出含有所需突变位点的片段,然后将片段克隆入T载体中,通过酶切连接的方法将突变点引入到pIRES2-EGFP-KCNQ1中,随后用Effectene转染试剂介导转染HEK293细胞。结果在真核表达载体pIRES2-EGFP-KCNQ1基础上获得了KCNQ1 cDNA C934T的突变体,测序表明在序列中发生了预期的突变。将含突变点的pIRES2-EGFP-KCNQ1转染HEK293细胞后,在荧光显微镜下观察到被转染的HEK293细胞发出绿色荧光,表明含突变点的pIRES2-EGFP-KCNQ1得到了表达。Abstract: To study PCR site-directed mutagenesis of long QT syndrome KCNQ1 gene in vitro. The site-directed mutagenesis of LQTS gene KCNQ1 was made by PCR. Two sets of primers were designed according to the sequence of KCNQ1 cDNA, and mismatch was introduced into primers. Mutagenesis was performed in a three-step PCR. The amplified fragments from the third PCR which contained the mutation site were subcloned into the T-vecor PCR2.1.Then the fragments containing the mutation site was obtained from PCR2.1 with restriction enzyme digestion and was inserted into the same restriction site of pIRES2-EGFP-KCNQ1. With Effectene Transfection Reagent, pIRES2-EGFP-KCNQ1 was transfected into HEK293 cell. The sequencing analysis showed that the mutation site was correct. Mutation from T to C in 934 site of KCNQ1 cDNA was found. Under the fluorescence microscope, the green fluorescence was spread in the transfected HEK293 cell, meaning the pIRES2-EGFP-KCNQ1 containing the mutation site was expressed correctly.     

Ligation-independent cloning of PCR products (LIC-PCR).

A new procedure has been developed for the efficient cloning of complex PCR mixtures, resulting in libraries exclusively consisting of recombinant clones. Recombinants are generated between PCR products and a PCR-amplified plasmid vector. The procedure does not require the use of restriction enzymes, T4 DNA ligase or alkaline phosphatase. The 5'-ends of the primers used to generate the cloneable PCR fragments contain an additional 12 nucleotide (nt) sequence lacking dCMP. As a result, the amplification products include 12-nt sequences lacking dGMP at their 3'-ends. The 3'-terminal sequence can be removed by the action of the (3'----5') exonuclease activity of T4 DNA polymerase in the presence of dGTP, leading to fragments with 5'-extending single-stranded (ss) tails of a defined sequence and length. Similarly, the entire plasmid vector is amplified with primers homologous to sequences in the multiple cloning site. The vector oligos have additional 12-nt tails complementary to the tails used for fragment amplification, permitting the creation of ss-ends with T4 DNA polymerase in the presence of dCTP. Circularization can occur between vector molecules and PCR fragments as mediated by the 12-nt cohesive ends, but not in mixtures lacking insert fragments. The resulting circular recombinant molecules do not require in vitro ligation for efficient bacterial transformation. We have applied the procedure for the cloning of inter-ALU fragments from hybrid cell-lines and human cosmid clones.     

The rejoining of double-strand breaks in DNA by human cell extracts.

A double-strand DNA break was introduced at a specific site within the lacZ gene of plasmid pUC18 using one of several restriction enzymes, and the plasmid exposed to nuclear extracts from human cell lines. Physical rejoining of DNA was monitored by Southern analysis after gel separation, and the fidelity of rejoining by expression of the lacZ gene after bacterial transformation with the treated plasmid. Breaks at the SalI and EcoRI sites were rejoined by extracts to form circular monomers, but the efficiency of rejoining was much higher at the SalI site. Measurement of rejoining at several adjacent sites having different types of termini, consistently showed a range of efficiencies with 5' 4-base greater than 3' 4-base overhangs and 4-base greater than 2-base greater than no overhang. Similar efficiencies were found for nuclear extracts from transformed cell lines, both from a 'normal' individual and an ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) patient, and from a non-transformed normal cell culture. In contrast at some sites, especially those with a low rejoin efficiency, the fidelity of rejoining was very much lower for the A-T extracts than for normal cell extracts. Mis-rejoining was, however, unrelated to rejoin efficiency at other sites, suggesting that factors such as the exact sequence at the break site on the molecule may also influence the fidelity of rejoining.     

Precise excision of long terminal repeats of the gypsy (mdg4) retrotransposon of Drosophila melanogaster detected in Escherichia coli cells is explained by its integrase function

An Escherichia coli model system was developed to estimate the capacity of the integrase of the Drosophila melanogaster retrotransposon gypsy (mdg4) for precise excision of the long terminal repeat (LTR) and, hence, the entire gypsy. The gypsy retrotransposon was cloned in the form of a PCR fragment in the pBlueScript II KS+ (pBSLTR) vector, and the region of the second open reading frame (INT ORF2) of this element encoding integrase was cloned under the lacZ promoter in the pUC19 vector and then recloned in pACYC184 compatible with pBSLTR. The LTR was cloned in such a manner that its precise excision from the recombinant plasmid led to the restoration of the nucleotide sequence and the function of the ORF of the lacZ gene contained in the vector; therefore, it was detected by the appearance of blue colonies on a medium containing X-gal upon IPTG induction. Upon IPTG induction of E. coli XL-1 Blue cells obtained by cotransformation with plasmids pACCint and pBSLTR on an X-gal-containing medium, blue clones appeared with a frequency of 1 x 10(-3) to 1 x 10(-4), the frequency of spontaneously appearing blue colonies not exceeding 10(-9) to 10(-8). The presence of blue colonies indicated that that the integrase encoded by the INT ORF2 (pACYC 184) fragment was active. After the expression of the integrase, it recognized and excised the gypsy LTR from pBSLTR, precisely restoring the nucleotide sequence and the function of the lacZ gene, which led to the expression of the beta-galactosidase enzymatic activity. PCR analysis confirmed that the LTR was excised precisely. Thus, the resultant biplasmid model system allowed precise excisions of the gypsy LTR from the target site to be detected. Apparently, the gypsy integrase affected not only the LTR of this mobile element, but also the host genome nucleotide sequences. The system is likely to have detected only some of the events occurring in E. coli cells. Thus, the integrase of gypsy is actually capable of not only transposing this element by inserting DNA copies of the gypsy retrotransposon to chromosomes of Drosophila, but also excising them, gypsy is excised via a precise mechanism, with the original nucleotide sequence of the target site being completely restored. The obtained data demonstrate the existence of alternative ways of the transposition of retrotransposons and, possibly, retroviruses, including gypsy (mdg4).     

Transposition of the Tol2 element, an Ac-like element from the Japanese medaka fish Oryzias latipes, in mouse embryonic stem cells

The Tol2 transposable element of the Japanese medaka fish belongs to the hAT family of transposons including hobo of Drosophila, Ac of maize, and Tam3 of snapdragon. To date, Tol2 is the only natural transposon in vertebrates that has ever been shown to encode a fully functional transposase. It has not been known, however, whether Tol2 can transpose in vertebrates other than fish. We report here transposition of Tol2 in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. We constructed a transposon donor plasmid containing a nonautonomous Tol2 element with the neomycin resistance gene and a helper plasmid capable of expressing the transposase and introduced the donor plasmid with various amounts of the helper plasmid by electroporation into mouse ES cells. The number of G418-resistant ES colonies increased as the amount of helper plasmid was increased, in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that the transposase activity elevated the integration efficiency. These G418-resistant ES colonies were cloned and the structure of the junction of the integrated Tol2 element and the genomic DNA was analyzed by inverse PCR. In those clones, Tol2 was surrounded by mouse genomic sequences and an 8-bp direct repeat was created adjacent to both ends of Tol2, indicating that Tol2 was integrated in the genome through transposition. The Tol2 transposon system is thus active in mouse as well as in fish. We propose that it should be used as a genetic tool to develop novel gene transfer, transgenesis, and mutagenesis methods in mammals.     

一种简单、快速、高效的基因定点突变方法

小规模抽提含有编码小鼠补体Ⅱ型受体(mCR2)cDNA的质粒,体外合成两对寡核苷酸突变引物,利用PCR反应将突变引入mCR2 cDNA中,即产生P15S和T68Y两种定点突变。然后用DpnI消化PCR产物以去除模板DNA,取适量消化产物转化大肠杆菌XL1-Blue,随机挑选克隆进行测序筛选、鉴定所需突变株。结果表明这一新方法不仅操作简单、快速,而且突变率极高,几乎100％。     

Twin PCRs: a simple and efficient method for directional cloning of PCR products

A simple and efficient method was developed for directional cloning of PCR products without any restriction enzyme digestion of the amplified sequence. Two pairs of primers were designed in which parts of two restriction enzyme recognition sequences were integrated, and the primers were used for two parallel PCRs. The PCR products were mixed, heat denatured and re-annealed to generate hybridized DNA fragments bearing sticky ends compatible with restriction enzymes. This method is particularly useful when it is necessary to use a restriction enzyme but there is an additional internal restriction site within the amplified sequence, or when there are problems caused by end sensitivity of restriction enzymes.     

In-fusion assembly: seamless engineering of multidomain fusion proteins, modular vectors, and mutations

In-Fusion can join any two pieces of DNA that have a 15-bp overlap at their ends. The result is equivalent to a recombination event at the ends of the DNAs. The 15-bp overlap may be engineered by inclusion in primers used to PCR amplify a segment of DNA. Originally described for inserting one piece of DNA into a restriction enzyme-digested plasmid, we have found In-Fusion can join four or more pieces of DNA in a single reaction. We used this insight to construct seamless fusion proteins, modular vectors with readily interchangeable segments, and novel mutagenesis strategies. Replacement In-Fusion can be used to delete any desired DNA segment in a plasmid and replace it with any desired new DNA segment without limitations on position or size.     

Generation of anNco I restriction site for translational fusions using PCR-mediated,site-directed mutagenesis

A polymerase chain reaction-based method of site-directed mutagenesis was used to introduce anNco I restriction site on the translation start site of a tomato peroxidase gene. This quick and efficient method utilized two overlapping synthetic oligonucleotide primers containing the requisite base pair changes on the ATG translation start site and two flanking primers in PCR. The resulting DNA amplified fragments were fused together byNco I digestion at the mutated ends followed by a T4 ligation reaction. A rapid alternative method utilizing the overlapping fragments and the flanking primers in PCR can also be used for ligating the two fragments. Cloning and sequencing of the PCR-amplified fragments provided additional evidence for the presence of the site-specific mutations. Unique restriction sites upstream and downstream of the site-specific mutation allows for the easy transfer of this mutated region into the wild type peroxidase gene.