Generation of cDNA expression libraries enriched for in-frame sequences

Claytus A. Davis, Seymour Benzer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Bacterial cDNA expression libraries are made to reproduce protein sequences present in the mRNA source tissue. However, there is no control over which frame of the cDNA is translated, because translation of the cDNA must be initiated on vector sequence. In a library of nondirectionally cloned cDNAs, only some 8% of the protein sequences produced are expected to be correct. Directional cloning can increase this by a factor of two, but it does not solve the frame problem. We have therefore developed and tested a library construction methodology using a novel vector, pKE-1, with which translation in the correct reading frame confers kanamycin resistance on the host. Following kanamycin selection, the cDNA libraries contained 60-80% open, in-frame clones. These, compared with unselected libraries, showed a 10-fold increase in the number of matches between the cDNA-encoded proteins made by the bacteria and database protein sequences. cDNA sequencing programs will benefit from the enrichment for correct coding sequences, and screening methods requiring protein expression will benefit from the enrichment for authentic translation products.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2128-2132
Number of pages5
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume94
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 18 Mar 1997

Keywords

  • ORF
  • ORF vector
  • cloning vector
  • in-frame vector

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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