T4 DNA ligase and RNA - (Sep/25/2006 )

Dear members,

If anyone knows, whether T4 DNA ligase works in ligating RNA and DNA linkers? If it is so please pass me on the information for the same.

Regards,
Biochem_worm

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Wow, every now and then something strange does pop up and make you think.

I am happy to report after a google search, that T4 DNA ligase can indead ligate DNA to RNA. But only in duplex form. T4 DNA ligase has no activity on single strand polynucleotide. This information can be found on any major company website which sells T4 DNA ligase.


Engler, M.J., Richardson, C.C., DNA ligases, The Enzymes (Boyer, P.D., ed.), Academic Press Inc., San Diego, vol.15B, 3-30, 1982.

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But, to add to the confusion, T4 *RNA* ligase will happily ligate single stranded RNA or DNA to anything handy sitting around. Note that it also needs ATP, but that the buffer shipped with it from NEB has no ATP. Ligation with T4 RNA ligase in the buffer that comes with T4 DNA ligase works well, as does adding exogenous ATP.

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