Multiplex random priming of internal restriction fragments for DNA sequencing.

An approach for DNA sequencing is described that circumvents the need for synthetic oligonucleotide primers, which seriously restrict the progress of DNA sequencing in the commonly used protocol. The method is based on the use of short restriction fragments as primers randomly distributed along single-stranded templates. Premapping of target DNA is eliminated and subcloning manipulation is minimized. This method has been used successfully for sequencing genes in the range of 2 kb, for which about 10 restriction fragment primers per kilobase were sufficient to generate a continuous overlapping sequence in alignment. The approach has also been readily applied for an automated sequencing system with the fluorescent chain-terminating dideoxynucleotides, thus implying its potential for sequencing large genomic DNAs.