TA strategy for rapid and efficient site-directed mutagenesis

A simple, rapid, and efficient site-directed mutagenesis method using TA strategy with synthetic mutagenic oligonucleotides is described. Briefly, a 3' A-overhang vector was prepared by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a classical Tag polymerase with terminal transferase activity, a reverse vector primer starting the complement nucleotide prior to the 5' end adenosine of the target, and a forward vector primer starting the nucleotide posterior to the 3' end thymidine. The 3' T-overhang mutagenic double-strand oligonucleotide was synthesized and cloned directly into the PCR-amplified 3' A-overhang vector. Thus, direct ligation of synthetic mutagenic oligonucleotides and PCR-amplified vector via TA sticky ends provides us with simple, rapid, and efficient site-directed mutagenesis. (c) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.