Difference between revisions of "CH391L/S14/BioBricks"

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=== Type III:===
 
=== Type III:===
  
This type of restriction enzyme recognize two separate non-palindromic sequences that are inversely oriented. They cleave DNA 20-30 base pairs from the restriction site. They are composed of more than one subunit and require ATP, but do not hydrolyze it. They require the presence of unmethylated regions that are inversely oriented for restriction to occur. They are found in prokaryotic organisms, and are a useful component in the defense against foreign invading DNA.
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This type of restriction enzyme recognize two separate non-palindromic sequences that are inversely oriented. They cleave DNA 20-30 base pairs from the restriction site. They are composed of more than one subunit and require ATP, but do not hydrolyze it. They require the presence of unmethylated regions that are inversely oriented for restriction to occur. They are found in prokaryotic organisms, and are a useful component in the defense against foreign invading DNA. <cite>Rao2013</cite>
  
 
===Type IV===
 
===Type IV===

Revision as of 00:48, 23 January 2014

Contents

What are BioBricks, and what are their purpose?

A BioBrick is a sequence of DNA with a predefined structure and function. The information is held in a plasmid, or a circular piece of DNA that can be inserted, and replicated into bacteria.

Before BioBricks, there was little standardization in assembly techniques for DNA sequences. It was necessary to create a standardized system of biological building blocks to enable scientists to go beyond the experiment of DNA assembly and allow them to focus on more complicated research. BioBricks were created as a set of standard and interchangeable “parts” that could be assembled into sub-components. [1] According to the Registry of Standard Biological Parts, which contains DNA for thousands of previously created parts submitted by iGEM members, a standard biological part is “a functional unit of DNA that encodes for a specific biological function. Parts have been standardized so they can be used to efficiently develop biological systems in living cells." [2]The advantage of BioBricks is that the assembly of these parts could be outsourced to others and new experimentation could rely heavily on previously manufactured components. The BioBricks foundation was co-founded in 2005 by Drew Endy. Tom Knight and Drew Endy also helped co-found the Registry of Standard Biological Parts.

The creation of a standard sequence interface for all BioBricks:

The original BioBrick assembly standard created by Tom Knight:

In order to easily joint and manipulate segments of DNA, BioBrick assembly standards requires the use of defined prefix and suffix sequences that flank both sides of the BioBrick. These prefix and suffix regions (such as EcoRI, NotI, XbaI, SpeI, and PtsI) can be cut by specific restriction endonucleases. Restriction endonucleases are a key element in the cutting and conjoining of segments of DNA, and will be elaborated in further detail in a later section.

The upstream end (Prefix) contains vector insert restriction sites with the following sequence:

5' --gca GAATTC GCGGCCGC T TCTAGA G --- 3'
3' --cgt CTTAAG CGCCGGCG A ACATCT C --- 5'
         EcoRI    NotI       XbaI

The downstream end (Suffix) contains vector insert restriction sites with the following sequence:

5' --- T ACTAGT A GCGGCCG CTGCAG gct--- 3'
3' --- A TGATCA T CGCCGGC GACGTC cga--- 5'
          SpeI     NotI     PstI
Illustration of a Biobrick upon assembly

When combined, the entire component vector looks like this:

 5’ --gca GAATTC GCGGCCGC T TCTAGA --insert--T ACTAGT A GCGGCCG CTGCAG gct--
 3' --cgt CTTAAG CGCCGGCG A ACATCT --------  A TGATCA T CGCCGGC GACGTC gca--
          EcoRI     NotI     XbaI               SpeI     NotI     PstI

The component vector (the insert) cannot contain any of the restriction sites to avoid any unwanted cutting by restriction enzymes, and any such sites are removed by point mutations.

Restriction Endonucleases

Restriction enzymes, or restriction endonucleases are enzymes that cleave DNA at restriction sites. A restriction site is a sequence of base pairs (generally 4-8 base pairs in length) that is recognized and spliced by a restriction enzyme. To cut DNA, restriction enzymes make two incisions: once through each side of the sugar-phosphate backbone. There are 4 kinds of restriction enzymes. [3]

Types of Restriction Endonucleases

Type I:

These were the first type of enzymes to be discovered, but have very little use in synthetic biology because they randomly cleave the DNA varying distances from the restriction site. The recognition site is composed of two different, asymmetrical portions: one containing 3-4 nucleotides, and another containing 4-5 nucleotides, and are separated by a non-specific spacer that is composed of 6-8 nucleotides. They are a multifunctional protein with both methylase and restriction activity. [3] [4]

An example of a palindromic sequence with sticky ends
A palindromic sequence with blunt ends

Type II:

These are the most commonly available and the restriction enzymes used in DNA analysis. They are a homodimer, meaning that they are composed of two identical molecules. They do not use ATP for their activity, but rather they generally utilize magnesium. Type II restriction enzymes recognize palindromic sequences, which are sequences that are read the same 5’ as they are 3’. They produce discrete restriction fragments and gel banding patterns, which is why they are the most useful in the laboratory. New enzymes from this family have been discovered, but do not follow all classical criteria of type II enzymes. Subgroups have been created to categorize the enzymes that deviate from the criteria. Type II enzymes are a single function restriction enzyme and solely cleave but do not methylate. [3]

Type III:

This type of restriction enzyme recognize two separate non-palindromic sequences that are inversely oriented. They cleave DNA 20-30 base pairs from the restriction site. They are composed of more than one subunit and require ATP, but do not hydrolyze it. They require the presence of unmethylated regions that are inversely oriented for restriction to occur. They are found in prokaryotic organisms, and are a useful component in the defense against foreign invading DNA. [5]

Type IV

Type IV enzymes recognize modified, typically methylated DNA and are exemplified by the McrBC and Mrr systems of E. coli.

Considerations in the selection of Restriction Enzymes

According to Tom Knight,

“The choice of restriction enzymes was a significant issue in the design of the pSB103 vector and
assembly plan. We wanted restriction enzymes which were easy to use and reliable, which functioned
in compatible buffer systems and at compatible temperatures, which could be heat killed, provided
complete digestion, with few required bases outside of their recognition site, and exhibited low star
activity. In addition, we wanted four base overhangs to enhance ligation efficiency.”

Another issue that was encountered was the sequence recognition site. There were several factors that had to be considered such as avoiding the accidental creation of ATG start codons in strange places, and also avoiding the creation of methylation sensitive sites.

List of Restriction Enzymes used with BioBricks

Enzyme Source Recognition Sequence Cut
EcoRI Escherichia coli
5'GAATTC
3'CTTAAG
5'---G     AATTC---3'
3'---CTTAA     G---5'
NotI Nocardia otitidis
5'GCGGCCGC
3'CGCCGGCG
5'---GC   GGCCGC---3'
3'---CGCCGG   CG---5'
SpeI Sphaerotilus natans
5'ACTAGT
3'TGATCA
5'---A  CTAGT---3'
3'---TGATC  A---5'
XbaI Xanthomonas badrii
5'TCTAGA
3'AGATCT
5'---T  CTAGA---3'
3'---AGATC  T---5'
PstI Providencia stuartii
5'CTGCAG
3'GACGTC
5'---CTGCA  G---3'
3'---G  ACGTC---5'

BioBrick composition techniques

There are two methods of composing a biobrick component: Prefixing one component to another, or postfixing one component with another. Both techniques result in a new, compound component, which can then be used as either an insert or vector in other reactions.

Prefixing a recipient vector with a donor component

In order to prefix a recipient component, a front vector is created. To do so, the component is cut with EcoRI and XbaI enzymes:

5' --gca G        *CTAGA G---- 3'
3' --cgt CTTAA*        T C---- 5'
     EcoRI                    XbaI

EcoRI and SpeI are used to cut the donor component, creating a front insert:

5' *AATTC GCGGCCGC T TCTAGA G --Insert-- T A      3'
3'      G CGCCGGCG A ACATCT C --Insert-- A TGATC* 5'
    EcoRI    NotI      XbaI                 SpeI

The EcoRI sites and mixed SpeI/XbaI sites are ligated creating this segment:

5' --gca G  *AATTC GCGGCCGC T TCTAGA G--insert--T A  *CTAGA G---- 3'
3' --cgt CTTAA*  G CGCCGGCG A ACATCT C--insert--A TGATC*  T C---- 5'
          EcoRI     NotI        XbaI                  Mixed

The EcoRI and XbaI sites are recreated, and a mixed, uncuttable SpeI/XbaI site is created. The other restriction regions SpeI and PstI remain untouched.

Postfixing a recipient vector with a donor component

A back vector is created with SpeI and PstI to insert a donor fragment after a component on a vector. This vector is created:

5' --T A            *G gct--- 3'
3' --A TGATC*    ACGTC cga--- 5'
        SpeI      PstI

The donor component is cut with XbaI and PstI to create a back insert:

5'  *CTAGA G --insert-- T ACTAGT A GCGGCCG CTGCA 3'
3'       T C --insert-- A TGATCA T CGCCGGC G*     5'
      XbaI                 SpeI      NotI   PstI

Similar to the Prefixing method, the two products are ligated together. The SpeI and PstI sites are restored, while there is an uncuttable, mixed SpeI/XbaI site that is made at the junction of the two inserts. In contrast to the Prefixing method, now the EcoRI and XbaI sites remain untouched in the upstream region:

5' --T A   *CTAGA G --insert-- T ACTAGT A GCGGCCG CTGCA   *G gct--- 3'
3' --A TGATC*   T C --insert-- A TGATCA T CGCCGGC G*   ACGTC cga--- 5'
          Mixed                   SpeI      NotI      PstI

References

  1. T. Knight, “Idempotent Vector Design for Standard Assembly of Biobricks” (MIT, Cambridge, MA, 2003). [Knight2003]
    Information regarding Biobrick, origins, standards, and composition techniques
  2. http://parts.igem.org/Help:Parts [iGEMRegistry]
    Information on the basics of BioBricks
  3. Roberts R, and Murray K (1976) Restriction Endonuclease "Critical Reviews in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology" 4:123-164 [Murray1976]
    Restriction endonuclease function of class I and II enzymes
  4. Murray N (2000) Type I Restriction Systems: Sophisticated Molecular Machines "Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev. 2000" 64:412-434 [Murray2000]
    Type I restriction endonuclease details