Ligation: Joining DNA molecules togetherThe final step in the construction of a recombinant DNA molecule is a joining togetherof the vector molecule and the DNA to be cloned (Figure 4.19). This process is referredto as ligation, and the enzyme that catalyses the reaction is called DNA ligase.4.3.1 The mode of action of DNA ligaseAll living cells produce DNA ligases, but the enzyme used in genetic engineering is usually purified from E. coli bacteria that have been infected with T4 phage. Within thecell, the enzyme carries out the very important function of repairing any discontinuitiesthat may arise in one of the strands of a double-stranded molecule (see Figure 4.4a).A discontinuity is quite simply a position where a phosphodiester bond between adjacent nucleotides is missing (contrast this with a nick, where one or more nucleotides areabsent). Although discontinuities may arise by a chance breakage of the cell’s DNAmolecules, they are also a natural result of processes such as DNA replication andrecombination. Ligases therefore play several vital roles in the cell.In the test tube, purified DNA ligases not only repair single-strand discontinuitiesbut also join together individual DNA molecules, or the two ends of the same molecule.The chemical reaction involved in ligating two molecules is exactly the same as discontinuity repair, except that two phosphodiester bonds must be made, one for each strand(Figure 4.20).4.3.2 Sticky ends increase the efficiency of ligationThe ligation reaction in Figure 4.20 shows two blunt-ended fragments being joinedtogether. Although this reaction can be carried out in the test tube, it is not very efficientbecause the ligase is unable to ‘catch hold’ of the molecule to be ligated and so mustwait for chance associations to bring the ends together. If possible, blunt end ligationshould be performed at high DNA concentrations, to increase the chances of the endsof the molecules coming together in the correct fashion.In contrast, the ligation of complementary sticky ends is much more efficient. Thisis because compatible sticky ends can base pair with one another by hydrogen bonding(Figure 4.21), forming a relatively stable structure for the enzyme to work on. If thephosphodiester bonds are not synthesized fairly quickly the sticky ends will fall apartagain. Nonetheless, these transient, base-paired structures increase the efficiency of ligation
Ligation: Joining DNA molecules together<br>The final step in the construction of a recombinant DNA molecule is a joining together<br>of the vector molecule and the DNA to be cloned (Figure 4.19). This process is referred<br>to as ligation, and the enzyme that catalyses the reaction is called DNA ligase.<br>4.3.1 The mode of action of DNA ligase<br>All living cells produce DNA ligases, but the enzyme used in genetic engineering is usually purified from E. coli bacteria that have been infected with T4 phage. Within the<br>cell, the enzyme carries out the very important function of repairing any discontinuities<br>that may arise in one of the strands of a double-stranded molecule (see Figure 4.4a).<br>A discontinuity is quite simply a position where a phosphodiester bond between adjacent nucleotides is missing (contrast this with a nick, where one or more nucleotides are<br>absent). Although discontinuities may arise by a chance breakage of the cell’s DNA<br>molecules, they are also a natural result of processes such as DNA replication and<br>recombination. Ligases therefore play several vital roles in the cell.<br>In the test tube, purified DNA ligases not only repair single-strand discontinuities<br>but also join together individual DNA molecules, or the two ends of the same molecule.<br>The chemical reaction involved in ligating two molecules is exactly the same as discontinuity repair, except that two phosphodiester bonds must be made, one for each strand<br>(Figure 4.20).4.3.2 Sticky ends increase the efficiency of ligation<br>The ligation reaction in Figure 4.20 shows two blunt-ended fragments being joined<br>together. Although this reaction can be carried out in the test tube, it is not very efficient<br>because the ligase is unable to ‘catch hold’ of the molecule to be ligated and so must<br>wait for chance associations to bring the ends together. If possible, blunt end ligation<br>should be performed at high DNA concentrations, to increase the chances of the ends<br>of the molecules coming together in the correct fashion.<br>In contrast, the ligation of complementary sticky ends is much more efficient. This<br>is because compatible sticky ends can base pair with one another by hydrogen bonding<br>(Figure 4.21), forming a relatively stable structure for the enzyme to work on. If the<br>phosphodiester bonds are not synthesized fairly quickly the sticky ends will fall apart<br>again. Nonetheless, these transient, base-paired structures increase the efficiency of ligation
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