Recombinant DNA Technology rDNA Technology

Recombinant DNA Technology:- introduction:-  DNA is deoxyribose nucleic acid. It is made up of a base consisting of sugar, phosphate and one nitrogen base.Then nitrogen bases are adenine(A)guanine(G) cytosine(C)and thymine(T).The nitrogen bases are grouped as

PURINES: Adenine and guanine.
PYRAMIDINES: Cytosine, uracil, and thymine.

The sequence of bases are in pairs like A&T and G&C and structure is the double helix

  recombinant dna definition

What is rDNA?

  • Recombinant DNA is genetically engineered DNA prepared by transplanting or splicing genes from one species into the cells of a host organism of a different species.
  • Thus the name recombinant DNA is also referred to as “CHIMERA

PRINCIPLES:-

  • Generation of DNA fragments and selection of the desired piece of DNA.
  • Insertion of the selected DNA into a cloning vector(ex: plasmid) to create a cloning vector or a chimeric DNA.
  • Introduction of the recombinant vectors into the host cells(bacteria).
  • Multiplication and selection of clones containing the recombinant molecules.
  • Expression of the gene to produce the desired product

recombinant dna technology definition

RESTRICTION ENDONUCLEASES:-

These are the bacterial enzymes that can cut/split DNA at specific sites. Ex: E.coli R1, Hind 3.

RECOGNITION SEQUENCE: It is the site where the DNA is cut by a restriction endonuclease. Restriction endonucleases can specifically recognize DNA with a particular sequence of 4-8 nucleotides and cleave.
CLEAVAGE PATTERNS: The cut DNA fragments may have sticky ends or blunt ends.

DNA LIGASES:-

  • The cut DNA fragments are covalently joined together by DNA ligases.
  • They form a phosphodiester bond between the phosphate group of 5’-carbon of one deoxyribose with a hydroxyl group of 3’-carbon of another deoxyribose.
  • Ex: DNA polymerase 1-Synthesis DNA complementary to a DNA template.

HOST CELLS:-

Host cells are the living systems or cells in which the carrier of the recombinant DNA molecule or vector can be propagated.

Prokaryotic hosts : Escherichia coli, bacillus subtilis.
Eukaryotic hosts: Yeast, sacchromyces cerevisiae.

VECTORS:-

Vectors are DNA molecules, which can carry a foreign DNA fragment to be cloned. They are self-replicating in the host cell.

Plasmid

Bacteriophages

Cosmids

Artificial chromosome vectors (I)

Human artificial chromosome (HAC) (II)

Yeast artificial chromosome (III)

Bacterial artificial chromosome(BAC)

PROCEDURES:-

TRANSFORMATION: The first step in transformation is to select a piece of DNA to be inserted into a vector.

  • The second step is to cut that piece of DNA with a restriction enzyme and then ligase the DNA insert into the vector with DNA Ligase.
  • The insert contains a selectable marker that allows for the identification of recombinant molecules. An antibiotic marker is often used so a host cell without a vector dies when exposed to certain antibiotics, and the host with the vector will live because it is resistant.
  • The vector is inserted into a host cell, in a process called transformation. One example of a possible host cell is E. Coli. The host cells must be specially prepared to take up foreign DNA.

Types Of TRANSFORMATION:-

NON-BACTERIAL TRANSFORMATION: This is a process very similar to transformation. The only difference between the two is non-bacterial does not use bacteria such as E. Coli for the host.

In microinjection, the DNA is injected directly into the nucleus of the cell being transformed.
PHAGE INTRODUCTION: Phage introduction is the process of transfection, which is equivalent to transformation, except a phage is used instead of bacteria. In vitro packagings of a vector are used.

This uses lambda or MI3 phages to produce phage plaques that contain recombinants. The recombinants that are created can be identified by differences in the recombinants and nonrecombinants using various selection methods.

CONJUGATION: It is a natural microbial recombinant process during which two live bacteria come together join by cytoplasmic bridges and transfer single-stranded DNA(from donor to recipient).

ELECTROPORATION METHOD: It is based on the principle that high voltage electric pulses can induce cell plasma membranes to fuse. Electric shocks can also induce cellular uptake of exogenous DNA from the suspending solution.

LIPOSOME MEDIATED GENE TRANSFER(LIPOFECTION) On the treatment of DNA fragment with liposomes, the DNA pieces get encapsulated inside liposomes. These liposomes can adhere to cell membranes and fuse with them to transfer DNA fragments.

GENE CLONING: The technique of making many copies of agene. Generally, genomic DNA is ideal for cloning, but the DNA contains non-coding sequences(introns) and repetitive sequences.

  • This complicates the cloning strategies, hence DNA is not preferred.
  • Hence m-RNAis preferred.
  • m-RNA is preferred for the following reasons :
  • mRNA represents the actual genetic information being expressed.
  • Selection and isolation of mRNA are easy.
  • As introns are removed during processing m-RNA reflects the coding sequence of the gene.
  • The synthesis of recombinant protein is much easier with m –RNA cloning.

process of recombinant dna technology

APPLICATIONS:-

Recombinant DNA Technology:- Essentially ever yar of biological research has been affected by the use of rDNA technology. Protein structure/function relationship studies and gene expression and regulation research have been enormously enhanced by this powerful tool.

Transgenic animals(into which DNA from another species has been inserted) have been bred to expand the study of human biochemical processes and diseases. Transgenic mice that are highly susceptible to breast cancer or Alzheimer’s disease have furthered the understanding of these diseases

Modern medicine is inextricably linked with rDNA technology. Gene therapy replaces defective genes with functional ones, delivered to the patient by way of a suitable vector, usually a disabled virus. The first moderately successful gene therapy was instituted to treat an inborn immune deficiency disease (ADA deficiency) caused by a defective enzyme, adenine deaminase

Cancer research and treatments, as well as some vaccine development, make use of rDNA technology. Attempts to modify animals genetically in such a way that organs suitable for transplant into humans may be harvested are now being made.

Agricultural uses of recombinant DNA technology are expanding. Genetically engineered bacteria sprayed onto strawberries protect the strawberries from freezing. Genes that promote herbicide resistance are incorporated into plants so that herbicides can be used for no-till farming. Some plant species have been transformed by rDNA containing genes that promote resistance to insects and pathogens

The industrial use of rDNA technology includes the production of bleach-resistant enzymes that are used in laundry detergents to degrade

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Recombinant DNA Technology rDNA Technology 1

REFERENCES

Molecular biology, David Freifeld, second edition, Narosa publishing house, pg.no 705-714.

Biochemistry, U. Satyanarayana, U.Chakrapani, third edition, Books and allied publications, pg.no 578-615.

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