MakingDNA Molecules

Chapter 13

Learning Outcomes

Describe the process of semiconservative DNA replication in cells and compare and contrast this method with DNA synthesis in the laboratory

Discuss the uses of synthesized oligonucleotides and identify the attributes of good primers

Explain the steps of PCT and discuss the components and optimization of the process

Discuss the function of a thermal cycler and how PCR results are visualized

Describe applications of PCR technology, including uses in the field of forensics

13.1 Making DNA Molecules – DNA Synthesis

A DNA molecule, at any given moment, could be involved in:

• DNA replication• Transcription

DNA and ChromosomesDNA molecules directly code for all the RNA and protein molecules that a cell synthesizes.The 44 chromosomes in human cells are actually 22 homologous pairs, plus 2 sex chromosomes.

DNA ReplicationA human body is estimated to have over 20 trillion cells. These cells all originate from a single fertilized egg cell by means of DNA replication.

DNA TemplateA template DNA is the strand from which a new strand is synthesized.

PrimerA primer is a short piece of DNA or RNA that is complementary to a section of template strand.

NucleotidesNucleotide triphosphates are the reactants used as the sources of A, C, G, and T for the new strand.

DNA PolymerasePolymerase builds large molecules (polymers) from smaller molecules (monomers).

Reaction BufferReaction buffer is used to maintain the pH of the synthesis reaction.

Vocabulary• Homologous pairs – two “matching” chromosomes that have the same genes in the

same order• DNA replication – process by which DNA molecules are duplicated• in vivo – referring to an experiment conducted in a living organism or cell; literally “in

living”• Helicase – enzyme that functions to unwind and unzip complementary DNA strands

during in vivo DNA replication• Topoisomerase – enzyme that acts to relieve tension in DNA strands as they unwind

during in vivo DNA replication• RNA primase – enzyme that adds primers to template strands during in vivo DNA

replication• Primer – a short piece of DNA or RNA (15 – 35 bases) that is complementary to a

section of template strand and acts as an attachment and starting point for the synthesis strand during DNA replication

• DNA polymerase – enzyme that, during DNA replication, creates a new strand of DNA nucleotides complementary to a template strand

• RHase H – enzyme that functions to degrade RNA primers, during in vivo replication, that are bound to DNA template strands

Vocabulary• in vitro synthesis – any synthesis that is done wholly or partially outside of a living

organism (eg, PCR); literally, “in glass”• Probes – fluorescently labeled DNA or RNA sequences (oligonucleotides) that are

used for gene identification• DTT – abbreviation for dithiothreitol, a reducing agent that helps stabilize the DNA

polymerase in DNA synthesis, PCR, and DNA sequencing reactions• Template – strand of DNA from which a new complementary strand is synthesized• dNTP – abbreviation for nucleotide triphosphates, which are the reactants used as the

sources of A, C, G, and Ts for a new strand of DNA• dATP – abbreviation for deoxyadenosine triphosphate, the cell’s source of adenine (A)

for DNA molecules• dCTP – abbreviation for deoxycytidine triphosphate, the cell’s source of cytosine (C)

for DNA molecules• dGTP – abbreviation for deoxyguanosine triphosphate, the cell’s source of guanine

(G) for DNA molecules• dTTP – abbreviation for deoxythymidine triphosphate, the cell’s source of thymine (T)

for DNA molecules• Reaction buffer – buffer in PCR that is used to maintain the pH of the synthesis

reaction

13.1 Review Questions

1. How many chromosomes does an E. coli cell contain? How many chromosomes does a human body cell contain?

2. What are homologous pairs, and where do they come from?3. Name six enzymes involved in in vivo DNA replication.4. How is in vitro DNA synthesis in a test tube different than in

vitro DNA synthesis in an automated synthesis?

13.2 DNA Synthesis Products

DNA is commonly synthesized for these applications• Probes• Primers• PCR amplification

ProbesProbes are relatively short pieces of DNA (or RNA) with a nucleotide sequence complementary to another sequence being searched for.

BlottingSamples are transferred from the gel to a membrane or specially treated paper.

Microarrays

Microarrays are assemblies of large numbers of samples of DNA, or even RNA samples.

Constructing PrimersPrimers are constructed to recognized a particular section of DNA.This is called primer design.PCR Amplification

Primers are used when trying to mark, identify, or amplify a piece of DNA.

Vocabulary

• Amplification – increase in the number of copies of a particular segment of DNA, usually as a result of PCR

• Cross-linker – instrument that uses UV light to irreversibly bind DNA or RNA to membrane or paper

• Microarry scanner – instrument that assesses the amount of fluorescence in a feature of a microarray

• Primer design – process by which a primer sequence is proposed and constructed

13.2 Review Questions

1. What is it called when DNA samples are transferred to a membrane for staining or probing?

2. How are probes used in microarrays?3. Design a primer that would be good for recognizing the

beginning of the following “sequence of interest.” Describe why your primer is a good one.

3’ACACAGGATACGTGCTGCTCAATGCCATGATAGCCGGTCACAAGC-TAATCCGATTTCGCGCAAATTCCTAAATTCGCTAAAGC-GAATCTTCAGGAAGGAACCCCGAAGGCCTTTT-5’, and so on.

13.3 Polymerase Chain Reaction

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a method by which millions of copies of a DNA segment can be synthesized in a test tube in just a few hours.Performing a PCR Reaction• Reaction buffer: Maintains pH• Forward primers: Recognize one end of the fragment to be

amplified• Reverse primers: Recognize the other end of the fragment to

be amplified• Taq polymerase: Special DNA polymerase that remains

active at very high temperatures• dNTPs: The four deoxynucleotides (A, C, G, T)• Magnesium chloride (MgCl2): Necessary cofactor for

polymerase activity

Cyling ProgramThe cycling program chosen depends on the type of sample to be amplified.

Challenges in PCR Technology

• DNA samples are often compromised.• Concentration of reagent, and the time and temperatures

of the thermal cycling program may affect the results.

Vocabulary

• Primer annealing – phase in PCR during which a primer binds to a template strand

• Extension – phase in PCR during which a complementary DNA strand is synthesized

• Optimization – process of analyzing all the variables to find the ideal conditions for a reaction or process

13.3 Review Questions

1. Why is Taq polymerase used in PCR instead of some other DNA polymerase?

2. What are the three parts to a thermal cycling reaction, and what is the difference in temperature between them?

3. What is it called when a PCR technician determines the best conditions for running a PCR protocol?

13.4 Applications of PCR Technology

• Forensics/criminology• Missing children/soldiers• Paternity/maternity cases• Medical diagnostics• Therapeutic drug design• Phylogeny/evolutionary studies• Animal poaching/endangered

species

DNA FingerprintingPCR technology came into public spotlight during the 1992 O.J. Simpson murder trial.

ForensicsForensics is the application of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and sociology to solve legal problems.

Vocabulary

• Karyotyping – process of comparing an individual’s karyotype with a normal, standard one to check for abnormalities

• VNTRs – abbreviation for variable number of tandem repeats, sections of repeated DNA sequences found at specific locations on certain chromosomes; the number of repeats in a particular VNTR can vary from person to person; used for DNA fingerprinting

• Forensics – application of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and sociology to solve legal problems including crime scene analysis, child support cases, and paternity

13.4 Review Questions

1. Restriction fragment length polymorphism technology was formerly used for DNA fingerprinting. What technology is currently used for DNA fingerprinting?

2. For a DNA fingerprint, many PCR targets are used. Each target is its own VNTR. What is a VNTR?

3. Why would looking for the persons responsible for sneaking endangered species (rare birds, for example) into the United States be considered a job for a forensic scientist?

Questions and Comments?