Lecture 20 Flashcards
(48 cards)
Recombinant DNA technology
- a set of molecular techniques for locating, altering and studying DNA segments
- also referred to as genetic engineering
- now encompasses many molecular techniques that can be used to analyze, alter and recombine virtually any DNA sequence from a number of sources
Restriction enzymes
- part of bacterial defense systems
- enzymes that cleaver around or within a specific DNA site
- recognize and make double-stranded cuts in DNA at specific nucleotides sequences (type II used most)
- some make staggered cuts, while others make blunt cuts
cohesive or sticky ends
- DNA fragments with short, single-stranded overhanging ends
- they are complementary to each other and can spontaneously pair to connect the fragments
DNA ligase
joins together the two DNA fragments by sealing the sugar-phosphate backbone
electrophoresis
separates DNA or RNA based on size, or proteins based on size and charge.
gel electrophoresis
- a porous gel is often made of agarose which is melted and poured into a plastic mold. the gel solidifies as it cools.
- DNA samples loaded into small wells made at one end of the gel and an electrical current is run through it
- DNA carries a negative charge and migrates toward the positive pole. The gel separates DNA fragments by size, with small migrating faster
- A standard with known DNA fragments included for comparison to the DNA sample, and the fragments are visualized with a dye such as ethidium bromide which fluoresces under UV light
probes
- DNA or RNA molecules with sequence complementarity to the gene of interest.
- radioactively or chemically labeled for detection.
- used to identify specific fragments of DNA
Southern blots
- developed from a man’s name
- used to detect DNA separated by fragment length
Northern blots
- used to detect RNA separated by length
Western blots
- used to detect proteins separated by charge, weight, etc
- probes are antibodies.
Gene cloning
- the production of identical copies (clones) of an original piece of DNA.
- Accomplished by inserting DNA fragments into bacteria so that they will be stable and copied by the bacteria.
Cloning vector
- stable, replicating DNA molecule to which a foreign DNA fragment can be attached for introduction into a cell
- carry DNA of interest
- carry be prokaryotic or eukaryotic
features of cloning vectors
- origin of replication
- selectable marker
- one or more unique restriction enzyme sites
plasmid vectors
commonly used vectors for cloning genes in bacteria
Cloning Genes
- DNA fragment can be inserted into a plasmid vector by cutting the foreign DNA and the plasmid with the same restriction enzyme
- if the enzyme makes staggered cuts in the DNA, complementary sticky ends are produced in the foreign and plasmid DNAs
- the DNA and the plasmid are then mixed together; some of the foreign DNA will pair with the cut ends of the plasmid. Alternatively, no foreign DNA is inserted and the plasmid ends with base pair with each other, creating the original plasmid vector.
- DNA ligase used to seal the nicks in the sugar-phosphate backbone
- once DNA fragmented cloned into the vector, they are introduced plasmids into bacteria so they can be replicated through transformation
transformation
bacterial cells take up DNA from the external environment. Some bacteria undergo transformation naturally; others must be treated chemically or physically before they will undergo transformation.
antibiotic resistance genes
confer resistance to antibiotics that normally kill bacteria. Any cell that contains a plasmid with such a marker will be able to live in the presence of the antibiotic.
- Amp^r gene confers resistance to ampicillin
LacZ and blue/white screening
- The lacZ gene encoding B-galactosidase (B-gal) is used to screen for insertion of foreign DNA
- Insertion of DNA into the plasmid interrupts the lacZ gene, and no B-gal produced
- B-gal can cleave an analog of lactose called X-gal which turns bacteria blue when cleaved.
- Bacteria transformed with the plasmids are plated on medium containing ampicillin and X-gal
- if the lacZ gene not present or has been interrupted, then the bacterial colony will appear white
- Only bacteria that have received ampR plasmid will form a colony on the plate. If the cell carries a recombinant plasmid (foreign DNA inserted into lacZ), colonies are white; if no DNA inserted, colonies are blue.
expression vectors
- contain sequences required for transcription and translation in bacterial cells in addition to the usual elements
eukaryotic cloning systems
- many eukaryotic proteins are modified after translation by the addition of a carbohydrate group. essential for function but can’t be carried out in bacteria
- cloning vectors developed for insertion of genes into eukaryotic cells
yeast artificial chromosome
- DNA molecule with a yeast origin of replication, a pair of telomeres and a centromere.
- stable, replicate and segregate in the same way as yeast chromosomes
- carry DNA fragments as large as 600 kb and have been modified so they can be used in eukaryotic organisms other than yeast
Ti plasmid
- vectors from this plasmid have been used to transfer genes that confer economically significant attributes such as resistances to herbicides, plant viruses and insect pests.
PCR
- polymerase chain reaction
- method for rapidly amplifying a DNA sequence that might constitute a tiny fraction of a DNA sample or be very rare.
- basis of PCR is replication catalyzed by a DNA polymerase
requirements for PCR
- single-stranded DNA template from which a new DNA strand can be copied
- a pair of DNA primers with a 3’ OH group to which new nucleotides can be added.