DNA-Binding Domain of DNA Ligase from the Thermophilic Archaeon Pyrococcus abyssi: Improving Long-Range PCR and Neutralization of Heparin's Inhibitory Effect

Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2015 Aug;176(7):1859-69. doi: 10.1007/s12010-015-1683-2. Epub 2015 May 31.

Abstract

The DNA-binding domain of the DNA ligase from Pyrococcus abyssi (PabDBD) was mapped and cloned into two expression vectors. The resulting 6X His-tagged proteins, with a predicted molecular mass of approximately 30 kDa, were overexpressed, purified using Ni-NTA resin, and biochemically characterized. Both PabDBD derivatives bound to double-stranded DNA fragments at the temperature range of 40-70 °C, and both were inactivated via heating at 95 °C for 15 min. Complexes of the PabDBD variants with either double- and single-stranded DNA fragments were less stable than the native DNA ligase of P. abyssi. Inclusion of the C-terminally 6X His-tagged PabDBD in the reaction mixture during long-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) increased the efficacy of amplification and eliminated the inhibitory effect of heparin.

MeSH terms

  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • DNA Ligases / chemistry*
  • DNA Ligases / metabolism*
  • Heparin / pharmacology*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Pyrococcus abyssi / enzymology*
  • Taq Polymerase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Taq Polymerase / metabolism

Substances

  • Heparin
  • DNA
  • Taq Polymerase
  • DNA Ligases