DNA assembler, an in vivo genetic method for rapid construction of biochemical pathways

Nucleic Acids Res. 2009 Feb;37(2):e16. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkn991. Epub 2008 Dec 12.

Abstract

The assembly of large recombinant DNA encoding a whole biochemical pathway or genome represents a significant challenge. Here, we report a new method, DNA assembler, which allows the assembly of an entire biochemical pathway in a single step via in vivo homologous recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We show that DNA assembler can rapidly assemble a functional D-xylose utilization pathway (approximately 9 kb DNA consisting of three genes), a functional zeaxanthin biosynthesis pathway (approximately 11 kb DNA consisting of five genes) and a functional combined D-xylose utilization and zeaxanthin biosynthesis pathway (approximately 19 kb consisting of eight genes) with high efficiencies (70-100%) either on a plasmid or on a yeast chromosome. As this new method only requires simple DNA preparation and one-step yeast transformation, it represents a powerful tool in the construction of biochemical pathways for synthetic biology, metabolic engineering and functional genomics studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Biosynthetic Pathways / genetics
  • Cloning, Molecular / methods*
  • DNA / metabolism
  • Genes, Fungal
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways / genetics*
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Recombination, Genetic*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Xanthophylls / biosynthesis
  • Xylose / metabolism
  • Zeaxanthins

Substances

  • Xanthophylls
  • Zeaxanthins
  • DNA
  • Xylose