pLenti6/V5 Directional TOPO™ Cloning Kit - FAQs

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49 个常见问题解答

我进行了稳转筛选,但我的抗生素耐受克隆中未表达我的目的基因。发生了什么问题?

这里列举了一些可能的原因与解决方案:

•所用检测法可能不适当或不够灵敏: ◦我们推荐您优化检测方案或寻找更为灵敏的方法。如果使用考马斯亮蓝染色/银染法检测过该蛋白,我们则推荐您使用免疫印迹法来增加检测灵敏度。裂解产物中存在的内源蛋白可能会在考马斯亮蓝染色/银染过程中掩盖目的蛋白。如果可能,我们推荐您在免疫印迹实验中包括一个阳性对照。
•筛选到的克隆数不够:至少筛选出20个克隆。
•在稳转筛选中使用了不适当的抗生素浓度:请确保正确获取了抗生素的杀死曲线。由于某一既定抗生素的效力依赖于细胞类型,血清,培养基和培养技术,因此必须在每次进行稳定筛选的时候确定抗生素的用量。如果采用的培养基或血清条件明显不同,则即使是我们所提供的稳转细胞系对于我们推荐的剂量也可能出现更敏感或更不敏感的情况。
•基因产物(即使低水平)的表达可能与该细胞系的生长不相容(如毒性基因):使用一个可诱导的表达系统。
•阴性克隆可能由基因表达的关键载体位点处优先发生了线性化所致:在一个不影响表达的位点实施载体线性化,如在细菌抗药性标志物序列中。

我正在使用一款哺乳动物表达载体,但未成功表达我的蛋白。你们能帮我解决这一难题么?

这里列举了一些可能的原因与解决方案:

•尝试试剂盒自带的表达对照。
•可能的检测问题:
◦检测瞬转的表达蛋白可能有难度,因为转染效率可能过低,以致用于整个转染群体的评估手段无法成功实现检测。我们推荐您通过稳转筛选或采用能够逐个检测单一细胞的技术手段来优化您的转染操作。您也可尝试通过改变启动子或细胞类型来提高表达水平。
◦细胞中的蛋白表达水平对于所选择的检测方法来说可能过低。我们推荐您优化检测方案或寻找更为灵敏的方法。如果使用考马斯亮蓝染色/银染法检测过该蛋白,我们则推荐您使用免疫印迹法来增加检测灵敏度。裂解产物中存在的内源蛋白可能会在考马斯亮蓝染色/银染过程中掩盖目的蛋白。如果可能,我们推荐您在免疫印迹实验中包括一个阳性对照。
◾蛋白可能降解或截短了:使用Northern杂交进行检测。
◾可能的时程问题:由于蛋白表达随时间延长而发生的变化依赖该蛋白的天然属性,我们一般推荐您先获取一份表达的时程曲线。尝试进行一次时程分析将帮助您确定最优的表达时间窗。
◾可能的克隆问题:通过限制性酶切和/或测序来验证克隆。

我正在使用一个包含新霉素抗性基因的哺乳动物表达载体。我能否在哺乳动物细胞中使用新霉素进行稳转筛选?

不可以;新霉素对哺乳动物细胞有毒性。我们推荐您使用Geneticin(又称 G418硫酸盐),这一产品的毒性较低,是在哺乳动物细胞中进行有效筛选的新霉素的替代品。

我构建的载体中,目的基因的ATG前方还有另一个ATG,这样可以么?它会干扰我基因的翻译么?

即使缺乏Kozak序列,翻译也还是会在核糖体遇到的第一个ATG处启始,不过启始效率可能相对较低。只要处于最初ATG的阅读框内,任何下游的插入序列都可能表达为融合蛋白,不过如果这里没有Kozak保守序列,则蛋白的表达水平预期会比较低。如果载体中包含一个非Kozak型的保守ATG,我们则推荐您将基因克隆至该ATG上游,再包含一个Kozak序列来优化表达效果。 

你们是否提供表达GFP的哺乳动物载体,这样我就可将其作为参照来监测我的转染和表达情况?

我们提供pJTI R4 Exp CMV EmGFP pA载体,货号A14146,您可使用这一产品来监控转染和表达情况。

我正在操作一株小鼠细胞系,希望使用你们所提供的一款CMV启动子载体来高表达我的目的基因。你们是否能够预见到这一操作中可能出现的问题?

在小鼠细胞系中,人们已知CMV启动子的效率会随时间延长而逐渐下降。因此,我们推荐您使用一款非CMV型的载体,如EF1α或UbC启动子,以在小鼠细胞系中长时间表达蛋白。

哺乳动物表达中保守的Kozak序列是做什么用的?在将目的基因克隆至你们所提供的哺乳动物表达载体时,我是否需要包含一个Kozak序列?

保守的Kozak序列为A/G NNATGG,其中的ATG表示起始密码子。ATG周围的核苷酸点突变会影响翻译效率。尽管我们通常情况下都推荐加入一段Kozak保守序列,不过这一操作的必要性还是基于具体的目的基因,一般只需ATG就足以高效地启始翻译过程。最佳的建议是保持cDNA中天然起始位点,除非确定这一位点的功能性不理想。如果从表达的角度来考虑,推荐构建并测试两种载体,一个具有天然的起始位点,另一个具有保守的Kozak序列。通常情况下,所有具有N-融合表达的表达载体都已经包含了一个翻译起始位点。

我需要在克隆目的基因时在其中包含一个核糖体结合位点(RBS)或Kozak序列吗?

ATG通常对于高效的翻译启始是足够的,尽管翻译效率要视目的基因而定。最佳的建议应是保持cDNA中天然起始位点,除非确定这一位点的功能性不理想。如果从表达的角度来考虑,推荐构建并测试两种载体,一个具有天然的起始位点,另一个具有保守的Kozak序列。通常情况下,所有N-端融合型表达载体都已包含了一个RBS或翻译起始位点。

对TOPO TA克隆来说最佳的插入片段:载体比例是多少?是否有公式来计算用量?

我们建议起始摩尔比为1:1(插入片段:载体),范围为0.5:1到2:1(插入片段:载体)。对TOPO克隆来说,2kb大小的 PCR产物的ng值应在5- 10ng之间。

计算公式:< br / > 插入片段长度(bp)/ 载体长度(bp)x 载体用量(ng)= 插入片段:载体比为1:1时所需的插入片段的用量(ng)。

插入片段:载体的最佳比例是多少?是否有公式可以进行计算?

您可能需要尝试不同的插入片段:载体比例,范围从1:1至15:1。

公式:
length of insert (bp)/length of vector (bp) x ng of vector = ng of insert needed for 1:1 insert:vector ratio (插入片段长度 (bp) X 载体重量(ng) ) / 载体长度 (bp) = 插入片段:载体比例为1:1时所需的插入片段重量(ng)

我可以使用Taq聚合酶生成我的目的基因用于定向TOPO克隆吗?

不,你的基因必须用一种校对活性聚合酶例如Platinum SuperFi DNA聚合酶或AccuPrime Pfx DNA聚合酶进行扩增以获得平末端才可用于定向TOPO克隆。

定向TOPO 克隆引物设计的要求是什么?

在引物设计时请考虑以下问题:

• 3’PCR引物不能含有与5’辅助序列GTGG同源的序列。
•使用的酶必须产生平末端的PCR产物。
•引物不能含有5’磷酸基团,它将抑制5’ OH亲核反应基团。
•设计引物时必须考虑读码框。

你们推荐在TA/Blunt/D-TOPO克隆中使用哪种PCR聚合酶,为什么?

TA克隆

这种克隆方法最初是为配合纯Taq聚合酶(天然的、重组的、热启动)使用而设计的;然而,某些高保真Taq酶和Taq酶混合物通常也适合TA克隆。即使Taq与具有校正能力的聚合酶以10:1或15:1的比例,仍可以产生足够的3’ A突出端去做TA克隆。

推荐使用的我公司的聚合酶包括Platinum Taq、Accuprime Taq、Platinum或Accuprime Taq High Fidelity、AmpliTaq、AmpliTaq Gold或AmpliTaq Gold 360等。

平末端克隆

使用Platinum SuperFi DNA聚合酶等具有校对能力的酶。

定向TOPO克隆

Platinum SuperFi DNA聚合酶效果良好。

Shine-Dalgarno和Kozak序列有何区别?

原核生物mRNA含有Shine-Dalgarno序列,也称为核糖体结合位点(RBS),它是由AUG起始密码子5’端的多嘌呤序列AGGAGG组成。该序列与16S rRNA 3’端的互补,有助于mRNA有效结合到核糖体上。同理,真核生物(特别是哺乳动物)mRNA也含有完成有效翻译所需的重要序列信息。然而,Kozak序列不是真正的核糖体结合位点,而是一种翻译起始增强子。Kozak共有序列是ACCAUGG,其中AUG是起始密码子。-3位的嘌呤(A/G)具有重要作用;若-3位是一个嘧啶(C/T),翻译过程会对-1、-2和+4位的改变更敏感。当-3位从嘌呤变为嘧啶时,可使表达水平降低多达95%。+4位对表达水平的影响相对较小,可以使表达水平降低约50%。

注:果蝇的最佳Kozak序列稍有不同,酵母完全不遵循这些规则。见下列参考文献:
•Foreign Gene Expression in Yeast: a Review. Yeast, vol. 8, p. 423-488 (1992).
•Caveneer, Nucleic Acids Research, vol. 15, no. 4, p. 1353-1361 (1987).

I performed stable selection but my antibiotic-resistant clones do not express my gene of interest. What could have gone wrong?

Here are possible causes and solutions:

Detection method may not be appropriate or sensitive enough:
- We recommend optimizing the detection protocol or finding more sensitive methods. If the protein is being detected by Coomassie/silver staining, we recommend doing a western blot for increased sensitivity. The presence of endogenous proteins in the lysate may obscure the protein of interest in a Coomassie/silver stain. If available, we recommend using a positive control for the western blot.
- Insufficient number of clones screened: Screen at least 20 clones.
- Inappropriate antibiotic concentration used for stable selection: Make sure the antibiotic kill curve was performed correctly. Since the potency of a given antibiotic depends upon cell type, serum, medium, and culture technique, the dose must be determined each time a stable selection is performed. Even the stable cell lines we offer may be more or less sensitive to the dose we recommend if the medium or serum is significantly different.
- Expression of gene product (even low level) may not be compatible with growth of the cell line: Use an inducible expression system.
- Negative clones may result from preferential linearization at a vector site critical for expression of the gene of interest: Linearize the vector at a site that is not critical for expression, such as within the bacterial resistance marker.

I used a mammalian expression vector but do not get any expression of my protein. Can you help me troubleshoot?

Here are possible causes and solutions:

- Try the control expression that is included in the kit
Possible detection problem:

- Detection of expressed protein may not be possible in a transient transfection, since the transfection efficiency may be too low for detection by methods that assess the entire transfected population. We recommend optimizing the transfection efficiency, doing stable selection, or using methods that permit examination of individual cells. You can also increase the level of expression by changing the promoter or cell type.
- Expression within the cell may be too low for the chosen detection method. We recommend optimizing the detection protocol or finding more sensitive methods. If the protein is being detected by Coomassie/silver staining, we recommend doing a western blot for increased sensitivity. The presence of endogenous proteins in the lysate may obscure the protein of interest in a Coomassie/silver stain. If available, we recommend using a positive control for the western blot. Protein might be degraded or truncated: Check on a Northern. Possible time-course issue: Since the expression of a protein over time will depend upon the nature of the protein, we always recommend doing a time course for expression. A pilot time-course assay will help to determine the optimal window for expression. Possible cloning issues: Verify clones by restriction digestion and/or sequencing.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.

I am using a mammalian expression vector that has the neomycin resistance gene. Can I use neomycin for stable selection in mammalian cells?

No; neomycin is toxic to mammalian cells. We recommend using Geneticin (a.k.a. G418 Sulfate), as it is a less toxic and very effective alternative for selection in mammalian cells.

Is it okay if my construct has an ATG that is upstream of the ATG in my gene of interest? Will it interfere with translation of my gene?

Translation initiation will occur at the first ATG encountered by the ribosome, although in the absence of a Kozak sequence, initiation will be relatively weak. Any insert downstream would express a fusion protein if it is in frame with this initial ATG, but levels of expressed protein are predicted to be low if there is a non-Kozak consensus sequence. If the vector contains a non-Kozak consensus ATG, we recommend that you clone your gene upstream of that ATG and include a Kozak sequence for optimal expression.

Do you offer a GFP-expressing mammalian expression vector that I can use as a control to monitor my transfection and expression?

We offer pJTI R4 Exp CMV EmGFP pA Vector, Cat. No. A14146, which you can use to monitor your transfection and expression.

I am working with a mouse cell line and would like to express my gene at high levels using one of your vectors with the CMV promoter. Do you foresee any problems with this approach?

The CMV promoter is known to be downregulated over time in mouse cell lines. Hence, we recommend using one of our non-CMV vectors, such as those with the EF1alpha or UbC promoter, for long-term expression in mouse cell lines.

Do I need to include a consensus Kozak sequence when I clone my gene of interest into one of your mammalian expression vectors?

The consensus Kozak sequence is A/G NNATGG, where the ATG indicates the initiation codon. Point mutations in the nucleotides surrounding the ATG have been shown to modulate translation efficiency. Although we make a general recommendation to include a Kozak consensus sequence, the necessity depends on the gene of interest and often, the ATG alone may be sufficient for efficient translation initiation. The best advice is to keep the native start site found in the cDNA unless one knows that it is not functionally ideal. If concerned about expression, it is advisable to test two constructs, one with the native start site and the other with a consensus Kozak. In general, all expression vectors that have an N-terminal fusion will already have an initiation site for translation.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.

Do I need to include a ribosomal binding site (RBS/Shine Dalgarno sequence) or Kozak sequence when I clone my gene of interest?

ATG is often sufficient for efficient translation initiation although it depends upon the gene of interest. The best advice is to keep the native start site found in the cDNA unless one knows that it is not functionally ideal. If concerned about expression, it is advisable to test two constructs, one with the native start site and the other with a Shine Dalgarno sequence/RBS or consensus Kozak sequence (ACCAUGG), as the case may be. In general, all expression vectors that have an N-terminal fusion will already have a RBS or initiation site for translation.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.

What is the best molar ratio of PCR product:vector to use for TOPO TA cloning? Is there an equation to calculate the quantity to use?

We suggest starting with a molar ratio of 1:1 (insert:vector), with a range of 0.5:1 to 2:1. The quantity used in a TOPO cloning reaction is typically 5-10 ng of a 2 kb PCR product.

Equation:

length of insert (bp)/length of vector (bp) x ng of vector = ng of insert needed for 1:1 (insert:vector ratio)

What is the best ratio of insert:vector to use for cloning? Is there an equation to calculate this?

The optimal ratio is 1:1 insert to vector. Optimization can be done using a ratio of 0.5-2 molecules of insert for every molecule of the vector.

Equation:

length of insert (bp)/length of vector (bp) x ng of vector = ng of insert needed for 1:1 insert:vector ratio

Can I use Taq polymerase to generate my gene of interest for directional TOPO cloning?

No, your gene of interest must be amplified with a proofreading polymerase such as Platinum SuperFi DNA Polymerase or AccuPrime Pfx DNA Polymerase that leaves blunt ends for directional TOPO cloning.

What are the requirements for primer design when using directional TOPO cloning?

Please consider the following when designing your primers:

- The 3' pcr primer cannot contain homology to the 5' flap sequence GTGG.
- The enzyme you use must create a blunt-ended PCR product for cloning.
- Primers cannot contain 5' phosphates, which will block the 5' OH nucleophile reactive group.
- The reading frame must be considered when you are designing your primers.

Which PCR polymerases do you recommend for TA/Blunt/D-TOPO cloning and why?

TA Cloning:
- This cloning method was designed for use with pure Taq polymerases (native, recombinant, hot start); however, High Fidelity or Taq blends generally work well with TA cloning. A 10:1 or 15:1 ratio of Taq to proofreader polymerase will still generate enough 3' A overhangs for TA cloning.
- Recommended polymerases include Platinum Taq, Accuprime Taq, Platinum or Accuprime Taq High Fidelity, AmpliTaq, AmpliTaq Gold, or AmpliTaq Gold 360.

Blunt cloning:
- Use a proofreading enzyme such as Platinum SuperFi DNA Polymerase.

Directional TOPO cloning:
- Platinum SuperFi DNA Polymerase works well.

Once I make lentivirus, can I amplify the virus or do I need to do another transfection?

The lentiviruses produced in this system will not replicate under any conditions. You must perform a fresh transfection each time you need more virus.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.

Can the pLenti6/D-TOPO vector be used by itself as an expression vector (without packaging mix)?

Yes, it will work as an expression vector by itself and can be stably selected with blasticidin. Please note that the vector will be about twice the size of most regular vectors. Therefore you may need to increase the amount of transfected vector to approximate molar equivalents.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.

Does the lentivirus produce any toxic viral genes?

Lentiviruses produced with this system do not carry or express ANY viral genes and therefore have no associated toxicity issues. Only the protein expressed from the coding region between the LTR sites is incorporated into the mammalian cell chromosome and expressed. The lentivirus itself cannot replicate because of the built-in safety features.

Why are 293FT cells cultured under Geneticin selection before transfection?

For routine maintenance of 293FT cells, you need to add Geneticin (G418) antibiotic at a concentration of 500 µg/mL to maintain the Large T antigen plasmid/phenotype.

What does the FT stand for in 293FT and why is this the most recommended producer cell line?

The F stands for the high transfection efficiency of this particular 293 cell clone (called 293F) and the T stands for the SV40 large T antigen. If you want to use regular 293 cells or another 293T cell line, you will be able to produce virus, but the titers will be lower. The large T antigen expression plasmid is stably integrated in the 293FT cell and confers resistance to Geneticin antibiotic in these cells.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.

How much blasticidin do you usually put into culture medium to select for blasticidin-resistant clones for virus titration (HT1080 cells)?

For HT1080 cells we typically use 10 µg/mL, but we strongly recommend that you generate a kill-curve for each antibiotic and cell line before proceeding. Most cell types respond to between 1 µg/mL and 10 µg/mL of blasticidin. For HT1080 cells, we typically use 100 µg/mL of Zeocin for Zeocin-containing lentiviral vectors. But again, generation of a kill-curve is strongly suggested.

We strongly recommend titering on HT1080 cells to determine the absolute titer of infectious virus in your supernatant. The primary reason is that it's a way to standardize titers obtained in different labs. Transduction efficiency is high in these cells, and titering results are very accurate and reproducible, making HT1080 cells the gold standard for titering. You can then try different MOIs in other cell types based on HT1080 titers. For instance, you may require an MOI of 50 in one cell type or MOI of 10 in another cell type based on titers obtained in HT1080.Accurate titer, however, can be obtained in essentially any mammalian cell line, but 3T3 and HeLa cells have a lower transduction efficiency than HT1080 cells (for reasons unknown). Do not use 293FT cells for titering.

Can I remove the CMV promoter from the pLenti6/V5-D-TOPO or pLenti6/V5-DEST vectors?

Yes, you can use restriction enzymes Cla I (cutting at 1796) and BamH I (cutting at 2401) to remove the CMV promoter from the pLent6/V5-D-TOPO vector. Use Cla I and Spe I for the pLenti6/V5-DEST vector. Alternatively, we offer promoter-less lentiviral vector, pLenti6.4/R4R2/V5-DEST (Cat. No. A11145).

How do I concentrate the lentiviral stock?

Ultracentrifugation is the most commonly used approach and is typically very successful (see Burns et al. (1993) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 90:8033-8037; Reiser (2000) Gene Ther 7:910-913). Others have used PEG precipitation. Some purification methods are covered by patents issued to the University of California and Chiron.

Adenovirus is concentrated using CsCl density gradient centrifugation (there is a reference for this procedure in our adenovirus manual) or commercially available columns.

What titers are typical with lentivirus?

Titers between 1 x 10e5 and 3 x 10e5 cfu/mL (unconcentrated) are typical. If the titer is lower than 1x 10e5 cfu/mL, virus production was not optimal (arising for various reasons). Titers for the LacZ virus are typically in this low to mid 10e5 range. The sample lentiviral titer experiment shown in the ViraPower instruction manual shows lacZ lentivirus with a titer of 4.8 x 10e6 cfu/mL.

We strongly suggest that you titer your lentivirus on HT1080 cells, which allows you to compare titers from day-to-day within your lab and also with external labs. Transduction efficiency is high in these cells, and titering results are very accurate and reproducible--making HT1080 cells the gold standard for titering. You can then try different MOIs in other cell types based on HT1080 titers. For instance, you may require an MOI of 50 in one cell type or MOI of 10 in another cell type based on titers obtained in HT1080.

What are the advantages of the lentiviral system?

The ViraPower Lentiviral System:
(1) effectively transduces both dividing and non-dividing cells
(2) efficiently delivers the gene of interest to mammalian cells in culture or in vivo
(3) produces a pseudotyped virus with a broadened host range
(4) includes multiple features designed to enhance the biosafety of the system

How does the lentiviral system work? How do I make the lentivirus?

Clone your gene of interest into one of our lentiviral expression vectors. We have a Directional TOPO version (pLenti6/V5/D-TOPO) and a Gateway version (pLenti6/V5-DEST vector). Co-transfect your recombinant vector along with the optimized ViraPower packaging mix into the 293FT producer cell line using Lipofectamine 2000 reagent (if using a different transfection reagent, follow the manufacturer's recommendations). Harvest the viral supernatant and determine the titer of the virus. Add the viral supernatant to your mammalian cell line of interest at the appropriate MOI. Assay for "transient" expression of your recombinant protein or select for stably transduced cells using the appropriate selection antibiotic, if desired, then examine expression of your protein of interest.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.

Will I get the same transduction efficiency with both lentivirus and adenovirus in the same cell line?

This depends entirely on the target cell. Adenovirus requires the coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR) and an integrin for efficient transduction. Lentivirus (with VSV-G) binds to a lipid in the plasma membrane (present on all cell types). With two totally different mechanisms of entry into the cell, there will always be differences in transduction efficiencies. However, the efficiency of transduction for both viral systems is easily modulated by the multiplicity of infection (MOI) used.

Do you recommend a specific FBS for culture of the 293FT or 293A cells used in the ViraPower kits? What plastic plates do you recommend?

We use mycoplasma-tested Gibco FBS (Cat. No. 16000-044) without any modifications. We have observed that when 293FT cells are cultured in the presence of this FBS following the instructions in the manual, virus production is better than that obtained with many other serum sources.

We use the following plasticware for 293A and 293FT cells:

T175--Fisher Cat. No. 10-126-13; this is a Falcon flask with 0.2 µm vented plug seal cap.

T75--Fisher Cat. No. 07-200-68; this is a Costar flask with 0.2 µm vented seal cap.

100 mm plate--Fisher Cat. No. 08-772E; this is a Falcon tissue culture-treated polystyrene plate

We get excellent adherence on these plates under routine cell culture/maintenance conditions (expect cell lysis in 293A cells when making adenovirus).

How should I store lentivirus, adenovirus and viral vectors?

Viral vectors:
Store lentiviral and adenoviral expression vectors (plasmid DNA) at -20 degrees C. Due to their relatively large sizes, we do not recommend storing these vectors at -80 degrees C, as the vector solutions will completely freeze and too many freeze thaws from -80 degrees C will affect the cloning efficiency. At -20 degrees C, the vectors will be stable but will not freeze completely. Glycerol stocks of vectors transformed into bacteria should always be stored at -80 degrees C.

Virus:
Both adenovirus and lentivirus particles should be aliquoted immediately after production and stored at -80 degrees C.

Lentivirus is more sensitive to storage temperature and to freeze/thaw than adenovirus and should be handled with care. Adenovirus can typically be frozen/thawed up to 3 times without loss of titer, while lentivirus can lose up to 5% or more activity with each freeze/thaw. It is recommended to aliquot your virus into small working volumes immediately after production, freeze at -80 degrees C, and then thaw just one aliquot for titering. This way, every time you thaw a new aliquot it should be the same titer as your first tube.

Adenovirus particles can be kept overnight at 4 degrees C if necessary, but it is best to avoid this. Viruses will be most stable at -80 degrees C.

When stored properly, viral stocks should maintain consistent titer and be suitable for use for up to one year. After long-term storage, we recommend re-titering your viral stocks before use.

What are the safety issues associated with the use of your viral systems?

Both the lentiviral and adenoviral systems should be used following Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2). We recommend strict adherence to all CDC guidelines for BSL-2 (as well as institutional guidelines). Thermo Fisher Scientific has also engineered specific safety features into the lentiviral system.

Consult the "Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories" publication (www.cdc.gov, published by the CDC in the USA, describes BSL-2 handling) and the "Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines" publication (www.phac-aspc.gc.ca, published by the Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response in Canada) for more information on safe handling of various organisms and the physical requirements for facilities that work with them.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.

How do I know whether to choose lentivirus or adenovirus for viral expression?

If you're interested in stable integration and selection, choose the lentiviral system. We offer both a Directional TOPO (D-TOPO) and Gateway version of the kit to provide flexibility in the cloning of the gene of interest.

If you're looking for transient gene expression, choose the adenoviral system. We offer the Gateway cloning method for this product. It should be noted, however, that gene expression from both systems is typically detected within 24-48 hours of transduction, so both systems can be used for experiments of a transient nature. The main difference is that lentivirus integrates into the host genome and adenovirus does not. Higher viral titers are achieved with the adenovirus.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.

What are the packaging limits for lentivirus and adenovirus? Can a 9 kb fragment be packaged into either?

No, neither lentivirus nor adenovirus can take an insert as large as 9 Kb. Lentiviral packaging limits are around 6 kb and adenoviral packaging limits are around 7-7.5 kb. Above that, no virus is made.

For lentivirus, titers will generally decrease as the size of the insert increases. We have effectively packaged inserts of 5.2 kb with good titer (approx. 0.5 x 10^5 cfu/mL). The size of the wild-type HIV-1 genome is approximately 10 kb. Since the size of the elements required for expression from pLenti vectors add up to approximately 4-4.4 kb, the size of your gene of interest should theoretically not exceed 5.6-6 kb for efficient packaging (see below for packaging limits for individual vectors).
pLenti4/V5-DEST vector: 6 kb
pLenti6/V5-DEST vector: 6 kb
pLenti6/V5/D-TOPO vector: 6 kb
pLenti6/UbC/V5-DEST vector: 5.6 kb

For adenovirus, the maximum packagable size is approximately 7-7.5 Kb (see below for packaging limits for individual vectors).
pAd/CMV/V5-DEST vector: 6 kb
pAd/PL-DEST vector: 7.5 kb

Can you tell me the difference between a Shine-Dalgarno sequence and a Kozak sequence?

Prokaryotic mRNAs contain a Shine-Dalgarno sequence, also known as a ribosome binding site (RBS), which is composed of the polypurine sequence AGGAGG located just 5’ of the AUG initiation codon. This sequence allows the message to bind efficiently to the ribosome due to its complementarity with the 3’-end of the 16S rRNA. Similarly, eukaryotic (and specifically mammalian) mRNA also contains sequence information important for efficient translation. However, this sequence, termed a Kozak sequence, is not a true ribosome binding site, but rather a translation initiation enhancer. The Kozak consensus sequence is ACCAUGG, where AUG is the initiation codon. A purine (A/G) in position -3 has a dominant effect; with a pyrimidine (C/T) in position -3, translation becomes more sensitive to changes in positions -1, -2, and +4. Expression levels can be reduced up to 95% when the -3 position is changed from a purine to pyrimidine. The +4 position has less influence on expression levels where approximately 50% reduction is seen. See the following references:

- Kozak, M. (1986) Point mutations define a sequence flanking the AUG initiator codon that modulates translation by eukaryotic ribosomes. Cell 44, 283-292.
- Kozak, M. (1987) At least six nucleotides preceding the AUG initiator codon enhance translation in mammalian cells. J. Mol. Biol. 196, 947-950.
- Kozak, M. (1987) An analysis of 5´-noncoding sequences from 699 vertebrate messenger RNAs. Nucleic Acids Res. 15, 8125-8148.
- Kozak, M. (1989) The scanning model for translation: An update. J. Cell Biol. 108, 229-241.
- Kozak, M. (1990) Evaluation of the fidelity of initiation of translation in reticulocyte lysates from commercial sources. Nucleic Acids Res. 18, 2828.

Note: The optimal Kozak sequence for Drosophila differs slightly, and yeast do not follow this rule at all. See the following references:

- Romanos, M.A., Scorer, C.A., Clare, J.J. (1992) Foreign gene expression in yeast: a review. Yeast 8, 423-488.
- Cavaneer, D.R. (1987) Comparison of the consensus sequence flanking translational start sites in Drosophila and vertebrates. Nucleic Acids Res. 15, 1353-1361.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.

I sequenced one of your vectors after PCR amplification and observed a difference from what is provided online (or in the manual). Should I be concerned?

Our vectors have not been completely sequenced. Your sequence data may differ when compared to what is provided. Known mutations that do not affect the function of the vector are annotated in public databases.

Are your vectors routinely sequenced?

No, our vectors are not routinely sequenced. Quality control and release criteria utilize other methods.

How was the reference sequence for your vectors created?

Sequences provided for our vectors have been compiled from information in sequence databases, published sequences, and other sources.

What is the consensus Kozak sequence and what is the function of the Kozak sequence?

Eukaryotic (and specifically mammalian) mRNA contains sequence information that is important for efficient translation. However, this sequence, termed a Kozak sequence, is not a true ribosome binding site, but rather a translation initiation enhancer. The Kozak consensus sequence is ACCAUGG, where AUG is the initiation codon. A purine (A/G) in position -3 has a dominant effect; with a pyrimidine (C/T) in position -3, translation becomes more sensitive to changes in positions -1, -2, and +4. Expression levels can be reduced up to 95% when the -3 position is changed from a purine to pyrimidine. The +4 position has less influence on expression levels where approximately 50% reduction is seen. See the following references:

Kozak, M. (1986) Point mutations define a sequence flanking the AUG initiator codon that modulates translation by eukaryotic ribosomes. Cell 44, 283-292.
Kozak, M. (1987) At least six nucleotides preceding the AUG initiator codon enhance translation in mammalian cells. J. Mol. Biol. 196, 947-950.
Kozak, M. (1987) An analysis of 5´-noncoding sequences from 699 vertebrate messenger RNAs. Nucleic Acids Res. 15, 8125-8148.
Kozak, M. (1989) The scanning model for translation: An update. J. Cell Biol. 108, 229-241.
Kozak, M. (1990) Evaluation of the fidelity of initiation of translation in reticulocyte lysates from commercial sources. Nucleic Acids Res. 18, 2828.

Note: The optimal Kozak sequence for Drosophila differs slightly, and yeast do not follow this rule at all. See the following references:

Romanos, M.A., Scorer, C.A., Clare, J.J. (1992) Foreign gene expression in yeast: a review. Yeast 8, 423-488.
Cavaneer, D.R. (1987) Comparison of the consensus sequence flanking translational start sites in Drosophila and vertebrates. Nucleic Acids Res. 15, 1353-1361.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Protein Expression Support Center.