The Gateway technology provides a fast and efficient route forcloning. This technology relies on the use of modified versions of the recombinases from the bacteriophage lambda. This virus inserts its genome into the host DNA using these enzymes. The Gateway cloning system uses them to achieve high efficiency, site specific recombination. The second useful characteristic of this system is its recognition sites for the clonase enzymes calledatt sites, and the use of different types ofvectors.
Watch the animation below to get an overview of the Gateway reaction.
英国石油公司和LR反应
英国石油公司和LR反应are the way different DNA segments are moved from one place to another within the constructs. During the BP reaction, attB and attP sites are recombined. This reaction swaps the DNA between strands, creating an attL and an attR site. During the LR reaction, attL and attR sites are similarly recombined, yielding attB and attP sites. There is a limited number of att sites, annotated with numbers. This means that there is a limited number of combinations. Each site only recombines within the group: for example, attL1 sites will only recombine with attR1 sites, yielding attB1 and attP1 sites. The orientation of these sites is also specific, and the gene construct highly predictable. The desired construct can be built by selecting for the proper att ends, the reactions, and the vectors.
Vector types
The recyclable att sites are ideally suited for creating vector libraries that can be used to efficiently combine differentcircuit parts.
•Expression vector(AmpR): The expression clone is the final product of a gateway reaction. It is the complete plasmid, ready for transformation.
•Donor vector(ccdB,KanR): The donor vector provides the backbone for the creation of entry clones. Donor vectors are typically denoted with names starting with pDONR. These plasmids carry attB or attP sites flanking the ccdB gene, as well as the kanamycin resistance gene.
•Entry vector(KanR): The entry vectors are created from the donor vector and a DNA sequence flanked with the matching att sites. These sequences of interest are usually produced byPCR, with primers that contain the att sites. Entry vectors contain attL or attR sites flanking the sequence of interest, as well as the kanamycin resistance gene. The entry vectors are ideally suited for a library of circuit parts.
•Destination Vector(ccdB,AmpR): The destination vector provides the backbone for expression clones. Destination vectors are typically denoted with names starting with pDEST. These plasmids contain the ccdB gene flanked by attL or attR sites, as well as an ampicillin resistance gene. Destination vectors also contain the origins of replications for specific hosts and additional DNA motifs.
Selection
The selection of the vectors of interest in the different steps of the Gateway cloning procedure is very important. For selection, the Gateway system relies on twoantibiotic resistancesand theccdB gene for positive selection. The antibiotic resistance enables transformed cells to grow on a medium containing antibiotics that kill untransformed cells.
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ccdB encodes a bacteriotoxin that prevents DNA replication. All of the backbones for Gateway clones (pDEST and pDONR) carry this gene, and only bacteria carrying an additionalccdA gene will grow when transformed with these plasmids.