A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
MuA-mediated in vitro cloning of circular DNA: transpositional autointegration and the effect of MuB
Authors: Pulkkinen E, Haapa-Paananen S, Savilahti H
Publisher: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG
Publication year: 2016
Journal: Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Journal name in source: MOLECULAR GENETICS AND GENOMICS
Journal acronym: MOL GENET GENOMICS
Volume: 291
Issue: 3
First page : 1181
Last page: 1191
Number of pages: 11
ISSN: 1617-4615
eISSN: 1617-4623
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00438-016-1175-2
Abstract
Transposons provide useful tools for genetics and genomics studies, as they can be modified easily for a variety of purposes. In this study, a strategy to clone circular DNA was developed on the basis of an efficient Mu in vitro transposition reaction catalyzed by MuA transposase. The transposon used contains a selectable marker as well as an origin of replication, and in vitro integration of the transposon into circular DNA generates a plasmid that can replicate in E. coli. We show that the substrate stoichiometry plays an important role in the profile of intermolecular versus intramolecular transposition reaction products. Increasing the relative amount of target DNA reduced the frequency of intramolecular products that are non-productive with regard to the developed cloning application. Such autointegration was also reduced in the reactions containing phage Mu-encoded MuB, indicating that this protein can be used for cloning in combination with MuA, and it is particularly useful with a limited amount of target DNA. The developed strategy can now be utilized to clone DNA circles regardless of their origin as long as their size is not prohibitive for transformation.
Transposons provide useful tools for genetics and genomics studies, as they can be modified easily for a variety of purposes. In this study, a strategy to clone circular DNA was developed on the basis of an efficient Mu in vitro transposition reaction catalyzed by MuA transposase. The transposon used contains a selectable marker as well as an origin of replication, and in vitro integration of the transposon into circular DNA generates a plasmid that can replicate in E. coli. We show that the substrate stoichiometry plays an important role in the profile of intermolecular versus intramolecular transposition reaction products. Increasing the relative amount of target DNA reduced the frequency of intramolecular products that are non-productive with regard to the developed cloning application. Such autointegration was also reduced in the reactions containing phage Mu-encoded MuB, indicating that this protein can be used for cloning in combination with MuA, and it is particularly useful with a limited amount of target DNA. The developed strategy can now be utilized to clone DNA circles regardless of their origin as long as their size is not prohibitive for transformation.