title: Isolation and characterization of a thermostable RNA ligase 1 from a Thermus scotoductus bacteriophage TS2126 with good single-stranded DNA ligation properties.
abstract: We have recently sequenced the genome of a novel thermophilic bacteriophage designated as TS2126 that infects the thermophilic eubacterium Thermus scotoductus. One of the annotated open reading frames (ORFs) shows homology to T4 RNA ligase 1, an enzyme of great importance in molecular biology, owing to its ability to ligate single-stranded nucleic acids. The ORF was cloned, and recombinant protein was expressed, purified and characterized. The recombinant enzyme ligates single-stranded nucleic acids in an ATP-dependent manner and is moderately thermostable. The recombinant enzyme exhibits extremely high activity and high ligation efficiency. It can be used for various molecular biology applications including RNA ligase-mediated rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RLM-RACE). The TS2126 RNA ligase catalyzed both inter- and intra-molecular single-stranded DNA ligation to >50% completion in a matter of hours at an elevated temperature, although favoring intra-molecular ligation on RNA and single-stranded DNA substrates. The properties of TS2126 RNA ligase 1 makes it very attractive for processes like adaptor ligation, and single-stranded solid phase gene synthesis.
authors.affiliation: Prokaria Ltd Gylfaflot 5, 112 Reyjavik, Iceland.
authors.forename: Thorarinn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Blondal
authors.forename: Audur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thorisdottir
authors.forename: Unnur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Unnsteinsdottir
authors.forename: Sigridur
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hjorleifsdottir
authors.forename: Arnthor
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aevarsson
authors.forename: Sveinn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ernstsson
authors.forename: Olafur H
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Fridjonsson
authors.forename: Sigurlaug
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Skirnisdottir
authors.forename: Jon Oskar
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Wheat
authors.forename: Anna Gudny
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Hermannsdottir
authors.forename: Snorri Th
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Sigurdsson
authors.forename: Gudmundur O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Hreggvidsson
authors.forename: Albert Vernon
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Jakob K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kristjansson
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000201:enzymology*; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000378:metabolism*; D004795:Enzyme Stability; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011130:RNA Ligase (ATP) / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D013696:Temperature; D013824:Thermus / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D011130:RNA Ligase (ATP)