2. Properties of vector
Able to replicate within host cell.
Relatively small in size ideally less than 10
kb
Two kinds of such DNA molecule in bacterial
cells are:
Plasmid
Bacteriophage chromosome
3. Plasmid
Circular DNA molecules (Fig:2.1)
Independent existence
One or more genes for some useful
characteristics, may be used as a selectable
marker e.g antibiotic resistance genes (Fig:2.2)
Origin of replication, able to multiply
independently. (Fig:2.3a)
May use host’s cell replicative enzymes
Some are integrative plasmids (Fig:2.3b)
7. Size and Copy number
Plasmids range from 1 kb to 250 kb
(Table 2.1)
Copy number is the number of
molecules found in single bacterial cell.
Plasmids may be
Stringent- low copy number or
Relaxed- multiple copies (50 or more).
8. Conjugation and Compatibility
Plasmids falls in to two groups:
Conjugative- promote conjugation
between bacterial cells, have set of
transfer or tra genes (fig)
Non-conjugative
Different plasmids in a cell must be
compatible.
Incompatibility groups
10. Plasmid Classification
Based on the main characteristic coded by the plasmid genes
Five major types of naturally occurring plasmids
Fertility or F plasmids
Only tra genes, promote conjugal transfer
Resistance or R plasmids
Resistance to antibacterial agents- RP4 Pseudomonas
Col plasmids
Code for colicins (proteins that kill other bacteria)
Degradative plasmids (metabolize toluene and salicylic acid)
Metabolize unusual compounds, TOL of Pseudomonas putida
Virulence plasmids
Confers pathogenecity on the host, Ti of Agrobacterium tum.
11. Plasmids in organisms other than Bacteria
Eukaryotic plasmid - 2µm circle- in many
strains of the yeast Saccharomyces
cerevisiae.
Search for plasmids in other eukaryotes is
disappointing.
12. Figure 2.5
The two main types of phage structure: (a) head-and-
tail (e.g. λ); (b) filamentous (e.g. M13).
Viruses that specifically infect bacteria
Simple in structure , DNA (or RNA) and Capsid
13. The Phage infection cycle- Lytic cycle
Pattern of infection is a three-step process
(fig 2.6)
1. Attachment of phage and injection of DNA
2. Replication
3. New phage particles assembly and
released causing lysis of cell
Completes within 20 minutes
15. Lysogenic Phages
Insertion of phage DNA into bacterial genome
(prophage)
Retention of the phage in the host, for many
cell divisions
Eventually released and reverts to lytic mode
Many lysogenic phages but two have major
role in gene manip.
λ – a typical lysogenic phage
M13- a lysogenic phage, infects E.coli but is
not integrated , just slow the rate of growth
and division
17. Gene organization in the λ DNA molecule
λ – typical phage
49 kb in size
Position and identities of all the genes are
known (fig 2.9)
All functional genes are clustered together in the
genome- important for controlling expression of
the λ genome and construction of vector.
it allows genes to be switched on and off as a
group rather than individually
18. Figure 2.9
The λ genetic map, showing the positions of the important
genes and the functions of the gene clusters.
19. Linear and circular forms of λDNA
λDNA - linear double stranded
“Sticky” ends (cos sites) form circular molecule
(fig 2.10a and fig 2.10b) and do rolling circle
(fig 2.10c)
cos sites- recognition sequences for
endonuclease (product of gene A).
Cleavage and packaging recognize just cos
sites and DNA sequence to either sides.
21. M13- a filamentous phage
Filamentous phage, 6407 nucleotides single stranded
circular DNA.
Genome is less than 10 kb in size
Only 3 genes for capsid construction, 15 for λ
Simpler infection cycle
Infection into E.coli via pilus
ssDNA act as template for synthesis of dsDNA
Replicate over 100 copies
Double stranded replicative form (RF)
Cloned genes can be obtained in the form of ssDNA
New phage particles are continuously assembled and
released (fig 2.11c)
23. Figure 2.11
The M13 infection cycle, showing the different types of
DNA replication that occur.
24. Viruses as Cloning Vectors for other
organisms
For example
Adenoviruses in gene therapy
Baculoviruses to synthesize important
pharmaceutical proteins in insect cells
Caulimoviruses and geminiviruses for cloning
in plants