Name: site-directed mutagenesis for in vitro and in vivo experiments exemplified with rna interactions in escherichia coli
Uploaded: 2019-02-05T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Site-Directed Mutagenesis for In Vitro and In Vivo Experiments Exemplified with RNA Interactions in Escherichia Coli at JoVE.com

The authors would like to thank University of Southern Denmark open access policy grants.

1. Vector selection
<ol>
	<li>Choose a vector to perform downstream experiments with. Any vector is applicable for this 2- and 3-step PCR method.</li>
	<li>Based on choice of vector, choose appropriate restriction enzymes for cloning.</li>
</ol>
2. Primer design for site directed mutagenesis
<ol>
	<li>Decide between either the 2-step or 3-step PCR strategy (2-step is only for mutations &#60;200 bp from either end of the DNA of interest). For the 2-step PCR, go to step 2.2 and for the 3-step PC...

<ol>
	<li>Bouvier, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Small+RNA+binding+to+5'+mRNA+coding+region+inhibits+translational+initiation.">Small RNA binding to 5' mRNA coding region inhibits translational initiation.</a> Molecular Cell. 32 (6), 827-837 (2008).</li><li>Jorgensen, M. G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Small+regulatory+RNAs+control+the+multi-cellular+adhesive+lifestyle+of+Escherichia+coli.">Small regulatory RNAs control the multi-cellular adhesive lifestyle of Escherichia coli.</a> Molecular Microbioly. 84 (1), 36-50 (2012).</li><li>Antal, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+small+bacterial+RNA+regulates+a+putative+ABC+transporter.">A small bacterial RNA regulates a putative ABC transporter.</a> The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 280 (9), 7901-7908 (2005).</li><li>Andreassen, P. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=sRNA-dependent+control+of+curli+biosynthesis+in+Escherichia+coli:+McaS+directs+endonucleolytic+cleavage+of+csgD+mRNA.">sRNA-dependent control of curli biosynthesis in Escherichia coli: McaS directs endonucleolytic cleavage of csgD mRNA.</a> Nucleic Acids Research. , (2018).</li><li>Thomason, M. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+small+RNA+that+regulates+motility+and+biofilm+formation+in+response+to+changes+in+nutrient+availability+in+Escherichia+coli.">A small RNA that regulates motility and biofilm formation in response to changes in nutrient availability in Escherichia coli.</a> Molecular Microbioly. 84 (1), 36-50 (2012).</li><li>Lorenz, T. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Polymerase+chain+reaction:+basic+protocol+plus+troubleshooting+and+optimization+strategies.">Polymerase chain reaction: basic protocol plus troubleshooting and optimization strategies.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (63), e3998 (2012).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=JoVE+Science+Education+Database.+Basic+Methods+in+Cellular+and+Molecular+Biology.+Molecular+Cloning.">JoVE Science Education Database. Basic Methods in Cellular and Molecular Biology. Molecular Cloning.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. , (2018).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=JoVE+Science+Education+Database.+Basic+Methods+in+Cellular+and+Molecular+Biology.+The+Western+Blot.">JoVE Science Education Database. Basic Methods in Cellular and Molecular Biology. The Western Blot.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. , (2018).</li><li>. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=JoVE+Science+Education+Database.+Biochemistry.+Electrophoretic+Mobility+Shift+Assay+(EMSA).">JoVE Science Education Database. Biochemistry. Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA).</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. , (2018).</li><li>Kunkel, T. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rapid+and+efficient+site-specific+mutagenesis+without+phenotypic+selection.">Rapid and efficient site-specific mutagenesis without phenotypic selection.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 82 (2), 488-492 (1985).</li><li>Laible, M., Boonrod, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Homemade+site+directed+mutagenesis+of+whole+plasmids.">Homemade site directed mutagenesis of whole plasmids.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (27), (2009).</li><li>Wells, J. A., Vasser, M., Powers, D. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cassette+mutagenesis:+an+efficient+method+for+generation+of+multiple+mutations+at+defined+sites.">Cassette mutagenesis: an efficient method for generation of multiple mutations at defined sites.</a> Gene. 34 (2-3), 315-323 (1985).</li><li>Cong, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multiplex+genome+engineering+using+CRISPR/Cas+systems.">Multiplex genome engineering using CRISPR/Cas systems.</a> Science. 339 (6121), 819-823 (2013).</li><li>Mali, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=RNA-guided+human+genome+engineering+via+Cas9.">RNA-guided human genome engineering via Cas9.</a> Science. 339 (6121), 823-826 (2013).</li></ol>

Site-directed mutagenesis has a broad array of different applications, and here, representative results from an in vivo and an in vitro experiment were included as examples of how to make biological conclusions using the technique. Site-directed mutagenesis has for long been the golden standard for RNA interaction studies. The strength of the technique lies in the combination of introducing relevant mutations with downstream assays and experiments (e.g., western blot or EMSA) to draw conclusions about specific DNA sites ...

DNA is often referred to as the blueprint of a living cell since all structures of the cell are encoded in the sequence of its DNA. Accurate replication and DNA repair mechanisms ensure that only very low rates of mutations occur, which is essential for sustaining correct functions of coded genes. Changes of the DNA sequence can affect successive functions at different levels starting with DNA (recognition by transcription factors and restriction enzymes), then RNA (base-pair complementarity and secondary structure alterations) and/or protein (amino acid substitutions, deletions, additions or frame-shifts). While many mutations do not affect gene function significantly, some mutations in the DNA can have huge implications. Thus, site-directed mutagenesis is a valuable tool for studying the importance of specific DNA sites at all levels.
This protocol describes a targeted mutagenesis approach used to introduce specific mutations. The protocol relies on two different PCR strategies: a 2-step or a 3-step PCR. The 2-step PCR is applicable if the desired mutation is close to either the 5&#39; end or the 3&#39; end of the DNA of interest (&#60;200 base pairs (bp) from the end) and the 3-step PCR is applicable in all cases.
In the 2-step PCR approach, 3 primers are designed, in which one set of primers is designed to amplify the DNA of interest (primers 1 and 3, forward and reverse, respectively), and a single primer is designed to incorporate the mutation. The mutation introducing primer (primer 2) should have a reverse orientation if the mutation is close to the 5&#39; end and a forward orientation if the mutation is close to the 3&#39; end. In the first PCR step, primer 1+2 or 2+3 amplifies a small fragment close to the 5&#39; end or 3&#39; end, respectively. The resulting PCR product is then used as a primer in step two with primer 1 or 3, thus resulting in a PCR product with a mutation in the DNA of interest (Figure 1A).
In the 3-step PCR, 4 primers are designed, in which one set of primers is designed to amplify the DNA of interest (primers 1 and 4, forward and reverse, respectively) and one set of primers is designed to incorporate specific mutations with overlapping complementarity (primers 2 and 3, reverse and forward, respectively). In step one and two, primers 1+2 and 3+4 amplify the 5&#39; and 3&#39; end. In step three, the resulting PCR products from step one and two are used as templates and amplified with primers 1+4. Thus, the resulting PCR product is the DNA of interest with the desired mutation (Figure 1B).
While the mutated DNA can be used for any downstream application, this protocol describes how to re-combine the DNA into a cloning vector. The use of cloning vectors has several advantages such as ease of cloning and specific experimental applications depending on features of the vector. This feature is often used for RNA interaction studies. Another technique for RNA interaction studies is structural probing of the RNA in complex with another RNA1,2 or protein3,4. However, structural probing is only performed in vitro whereas site-directed mutagenesis and subsequent cloning allow for interaction studies in vivo.
Site-directed mutagenesis has been extensively used for RNA interaction studies as presented here. However, the key method regarding 2- or 3-step PCR is applicable to any piece of DNA, and thus not only limited to RNA-interaction studies.
To exemplify the technique and its possible uses, characterization of regions important for post-transcriptional regulation of the mRNA, csgD, of Escherichia coli (E. coli) is used. In E. coli, csgD is targeted by the small non-coding RNA, McaS, in cooperation with a protein, Hfq, to repress protein-expression of CsgD2,4,5. The technique is used to introduce mutations to the base-pairing region between csgD and McaS, and to the Hfq binding site of csgD. The obtained DNA is then cloned into a vector suitable for subsequent experiments. Downstream applications of the technique include both in vivo and in vitro experiments. For illustration, example 1 is characterized in vivo using a western blot assay and example 2 is characterized in vitro using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). In both cases, it is illustrated how site-directed mutagenesis can be used in combination with other techniques to make biological conclusions about a gene of interest.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-GroEL antibody produced in rabbit</td>
			<td>Merck</td>
			<td>G6532</td>
			<td>Primary antibody</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Azure c200</td>
			<td>Azure</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td>Gel imaging workstation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Custom DNA oligo</td>
			<td>Merck</td>
			<td>VC00021</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DeNovix DS-11</td>
			<td>DeNovix</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td>Spectrophotometer for nucleic acid measurements</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DNA Gel Loading Dye (6X)</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>R0611</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ethidium bromide solution 1 %</td>
			<td>Carl Roth</td>
			<td>2218.1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GeneJET Gel Extraction Kit</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>K0691</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GeneRuler DNA Ladder Mix</td>
			<td>Fermentas</td>
			<td>SM0333</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gerard GeBAflex-tube Midi</td>
			<td>Gerard Biotech</td>
			<td>TO12</td>
			<td>Dialysis tubes for electro elution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MEGAscript T7 Transcription Kit</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>AM1334</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mini-Sub Cell GT Cell</td>
			<td>Bio-Rad</td>
			<td>1704406</td>
			<td>Horizontal electrophoresis system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Monoclonal ANTI-FLAG M2 antibody produced in mouse</td>
			<td>Merck</td>
			<td>F3165</td>
			<td>Primary antibody</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse Immunoglobulins</td>
			<td>Dako Cytomation</td>
			<td>P0447</td>
			<td>HRP conjucated secondary antibody</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NucleoSpin miRNA</td>
			<td>Macherey Nagel</td>
			<td>740971</td>
			<td>RNA purification</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NuPAGE 4-12% Bis-Tris Protein Gels</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>NP0323BOX</td>
			<td>Bis-Tris gels for protein separation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phusion High-Fidelity PCR Master Mix with HF Buffer</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>M0531S</td>
			<td>DNA polymerase</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PowerPac HC High-Current Power Supply</td>
			<td>Bio-Rad</td>
			<td>1645052</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rabbit Immunoglobulins</td>
			<td>Dako Cytomation</td>
			<td>P0448</td>
			<td>HRP conjucated secondary antibody</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SeaKem LE Agarose</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>50004</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SigmaPlot</td>
			<td>Systat Software Inc</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td>Graph and data analysis software tool</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>T100 Thermal Cycler</td>
			<td>Bio-Rad</td>
			<td>1861096</td>
			<td>PCR machine</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>T4 DNA ligase</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>M0202</td>
			<td>Ligase</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>T4 Polynucleotide Kinase</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs</td>
			<td>M0201S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TAE Buffer (Tris-acetate-EDTA) (50X)</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>B49</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

site-directed mutagenesis for in vitro and in vivo experiments exemplified with rna interactions in escherichia coli

Site-directed mutagenesis is a technique used to introduce specific mutations in DNA to investigate the interaction between small non-coding ribonucleic acid (sRNA) molecules and target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). In addition, site-directed mutagenesis is used to map specific protein binding sites to RNA. A 2-step and 3-step PCR based introduction of mutations is described. The approach is relevant to all protein-RNA and RNA-RNA interaction studies. In short, the technique relies on designing primers with the desired mutation(s), and through 2 or 3 steps of PCR synthesizing a PCR product with the mutation. The PCR product is then used for cloning. Here, we describe how to perform site-directed mutagenesis with both the 2- and 3-step approach to introduce mutations to the sRNA, McaS, and the mRNA, csgD, to investigate RNA-RNA and RNA-protein interactions. We apply this technique to investigate RNA interactions; however, the technique is applicable to all mutagenesis studies (e.g., DNA-protein interactions, amino-acid substitution/deletion/addition). It is possible to introduce any kind of mutation except for non-natural bases but the technique is only applicable if a PCR product can be used for downstream application (e.g., cloning and template for further PCR).

To investigate RNA interactions regarding post-transcriptional regulation of csgD, a double vector setup was chosen: one to express the csgD mRNA and another to express the small non-coding RNA, McaS. csgD was cloned into pBAD33, which is an arabinose inducible medium-copy plasmid with chloramphenicol resistance and McaS was cloned into mini R1 pNDM220, which is an isopropyl &#946;-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) inducible low copy plasmid with ampicillin resis...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Site-Directed Mutagenesis for In Vitro and In Vivo Experiments Exemplified with RNA Interactions in Escherichia Coli at JoVE.com

Site-Directed Mutagenesis for In Vitro and In Vivo Experiments Exemplified with RNA Interactions in Escherichia Coli

Site-directed mutagenesis is a technique used to introduce specific mutations in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). This protocol describes how to do site-directed mutagenesis with a 2-step and 3-step polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based approach, which is applicable to any DNA fragment of interest.

Site-Directed Mutagenesis for In Vitro and In Vivo Experiments Exemplified with RNA Interactions in Escherichia Coli

Site-directed mutagenesis is a technique used to introduce specific mutations in DNA to investigate the interaction between small non-coding ribonucleic ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Biochemistry

Detection of the pH-dependent Activity of Escherichia coli Chaperone HdeB In Vitro and In Vivo

Detection of the pH-dependent Activity of Escherichia coli Chaperone HdeB In Vitro and In Vivo

Bacteria are frequently exposed to environmental changes, such as alterations in pH, temperature, redox status, light exposure or mechanical force. Many ...

Time-resolved ElectroSpray Ionization Hydrogen-deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry for Studying Protein Structure and Dynamics

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) have long been a challenge to structural biologists due to their lack of stable secondary structure elements. ...

Sample Preparation for Mass Spectrometry-based Identification of RNA-binding Regions

Noncoding RNAs play important roles in several nuclear processes, including regulating gene expression, chromatin structure, and DNA repair. In most ...

Quantification of the Abundance and Charging Levels of Transfer RNAs in Escherichia coli

Quantification of the Abundance and Charging Levels of Transfer RNAs in Escherichia coli

Transfer RNA (tRNA) is an essential part of the translational machinery in any organism. tRNAs bind and transfer amino acids to the translating ribosome. ...

Characterization of Glycoproteins with the Immunoglobulin Fold by X-Ray Crystallography and Biophysical Techniques

Glycoproteins on the surface of cells play critical roles in cellular function, including signalling, adhesion and transport. On leukocytes, several of ...

Application of Biolayer Interferometry (BLI) for Studying Protein-Protein Interactions in Transcription

Application of Biolayer Interferometry BLI for Studying Protein-Protein Interactions in Transcription

A transcription factor&#160;(TF) is a protein that regulates gene expression by interacting with the RNA polymerase, another TF, and/or template DNA. GrgA ...

Interactions with and Membrane Permeabilization of Brain Mitochondria by Amyloid Fibrils

A growing body of evidence indicates that membrane permeabilization, including internal membranes such as mitochondria, is a common feature and primary ...

Extremely Rapid and Specific Metabolic Labelling of RNA In Vivo with 4-Thiouracil (Ers4tU)

Extremely Rapid and Specific Metabolic Labelling of RNA In Vivo with 4-Thiouracil Ers4tU

The nucleotide analogue, 4-thiouracil (4tU), is readily taken up by cells and incorporated into RNA as it is transcribed in vivo, allowing isolation of ...

Rapid and Cost-Effective RNA Extraction of Rat Pancreatic Tissue

Regardless of the extraction method, optimized RNA extraction of tissues and cell lines are carried out in four stages: 1) homogenization, 2) effective ...

Site Specific Lysine Acetylation of Histones for Nucleosome Reconstitution using Genetic Code Expansion in Escherichia coli

Site Specific Lysine Acetylation of Histones for Nucleosome Reconstitution using Genetic Code Expansion in Escherichia coli

Acetylated histone proteins can be easily expressed in Escherichia coli encoding a mutant, N&#949;-acetyl-lysine (AcK)-specific Methanosarcina mazi ...