Enzymatic inverse polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

The invention is directed to a method of introducing at least one predetermined change in a nucleic acid sequence of a double-strand DNA. The method includes: (a) providing a first primer and a second primer capable of directing said predetermined change in said nucleic acid sequence, said first and second primers comprising a nucleic acid sequence substantially complementary to said double-stranded DNA so as to allow hybridization, a class IIS restriction enzyme recognition sequence and cleavage sites; (b) hybridizing said first and second primers to opposite strands of said double-stranded DNA to form a first pair of primer-templates oriented in opposite directions; (c) extending said first pair of primer-templates to create double-stranded molecules; (d) hybridizing said first and second primers at least once to said double-stranded molecules to form a second pair of primer-templates; (e) extending said second pair of primer-templates to produce double-stranded linear molecules terminating with class IIS restriction enzyme recognition sequences; and (f) restricting said double-stranded linear molecules with a class IIS restriction enzyme to form restricted linear molecules containing said change in said nucleic acid sequence. Also provided is a method of producing at least two changes located at one or more positions within a nucleic acid sequence. Synthetic primers for producing such changes are provided as well.