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Use of Synchronous Site-Specific Recombination in Vivo to Regulate Gene Expression

Bio/Technology volume 2, pages 1045–1049 (1984)Cite this article

Abstract

We have constructed a plasmid that carries the gene for T4 DNA ligase, the gene II promoter from bacteriophage m13, and analogues of attL and attR. attL and attR are substrates for site specific recombination catalyzed by the Int and Xis proteins of bacteriophage λ. The elements on this plasmid are arranged so that the promoter and gene are functionally isolated, but each is adjacent to an att site. In the presence of Int and Xis, provided by a thermoinducible defective λ prophage, the plasmid undergoes internal site specific recombination (rearrangement), one product of which contains the promoter and the gene juxtaposed in a functional arrangement. Prior to rearrangement, only trace amounts of T4 DNA ligase are produced in Escherichia coli cells harboring the plasmid. In contrast, three hours after the induction of rearrangement, T4 DNA ligase represents 20% of the soluble protein.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. BioTechnica International, Inc., 85 Bolton Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02140

    K. Backman, M. J. O'Connor, A. Maruya & M. Erfle

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  1. K. Backman
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  2. M. J. O'Connor
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Backman, K., O'Connor, M., Maruya, A. et al. Use of Synchronous Site-Specific Recombination in Vivo to Regulate Gene Expression. Nat Biotechnol 2, 1045–1049 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt1284-1045

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