Simple Cloning by Prolonged Overlap Extension-PCR with Application to the Preparation of Large-Size Random Gene Mutagenesis Library in Escherichia coli.
We developed a simple method (simple cloning) for subcloning DNA fragments into any location of a targeted vector without the need of restriction enzyme, ligase, exonuclease, or recombinase in Escherichia coli. This technology can be applied to common E. coli hosts (e.g., DH5α, JM109, TOP10, BL21(DE3)). The protocol includes three steps: (1) generate DNA insert and linear vector backbone by regular high-fidelity PCR, where these two DNA fragments contain 3' and 5' overlapping termini; (2) generate DNA multimers based on these two DNA fragments by using prolonged overlap extension-PCR (POE-PCR) without primers added; and (3) transform POE-PCR product to competent Escherichia coli cells directly, yielding the desired plasmid. Simple cloning provides a new cloning method with great simplicity and flexibility. Furthermore, this new method can be modified for the preparation of a large-size mutant library for directed evolution in E. coli. Using this method, it is very easy to generate a mutant library with a size of more than 10(7) per 50 μL of the POE-PCR product within 1 day.
Biological Systems Engineering Department, Virginia Tech, 304 Seitz Hall, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.|College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30th Puzhu South St, Nanjing, 211800, China.
Chao
C
Zhong
Biological Systems Engineering Department, Virginia Tech, 304 Seitz Hall, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.|Cell Free Bioinnovations Inc., 1800 Kraft Drive, Suite 200, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA.|Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area, Tianjin, 300308, China.
Chun
C
You
College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, 30th Puzhu South St, Nanjing, 211800, China.
Ping
P
Wei
Biological Systems Engineering Department, Virginia Tech, 304 Seitz Hall, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA. ypzhang@vt.edu.|Cell Free Bioinnovations Inc., 1800 Kraft Drive, Suite 200, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA. ypzhang@vt.edu.|Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport Economic Area, Tianjin, 300308, China. ypzhang@vt.edu.
Yi-Heng Percival
YH
Zhang
D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D019020:Directed Molecular Evolution; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D016296:Mutagenesis; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D014169:Transformation, Bacterial
Directed evolution; Enzyme-free cloning; Escherichia coli; High transformation efficiency; Prolonged overlap extension-PCR; Simple cloning