PCR-based accurate synthesis of long DNA sequences

Nat Protoc. 2006;1(2):791-7. doi: 10.1038/nprot.2006.103.

Abstract

Here we describe a simple and rapid method for assembly and PCR-based accurate synthesis (PAS) of long DNA sequences. The PAS protocol involves the following five steps: (i) design of the DNA sequence to be synthesized and of 60-bp overlapping oligonucleotides to cover the entire DNA sequence; (ii) purification of the oligonucleotides by PAGE; (iii) first PCR, to synthesize DNA fragments of 400-500 bp in length using 10 inner (template) and two outer (primer) oligonucleotides; (iv) second PCR, to assemble the products of the first PCR into the full-length DNA sequence; and (v) cloning and verification of the synthetic DNA by sequencing and, if needed, error correction using an overlap-extension PCR technique. This method, which takes approximately 1 wk, is suitable for synthesizing diverse types of long DNA molecule. We have successfully synthesized DNA fragments from 0.5 to 12.0 kb, with high G+C content, repetitive sequences or complex secondary structures. The PAS protocol therefore provides a simple, rapid, reliable and relatively inexpensive method for synthesizing long, accurate DNA sequences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Composition
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA / chemical synthesis*
  • DNA / genetics*
  • Genes, Synthetic / genetics
  • Mutation
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*

Substances

  • DNA