PFunkel: efficient, expansive, user-defined mutagenesis

PLoS One. 2012;7(12):e52031. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052031. Epub 2012 Dec 17.

Abstract

We introduce PFunkel, a versatile method for extensive, researcher-defined DNA mutagenesis using a ssDNA or dsDNA template. Once the template DNA is prepared, the method can be completed in a single day in a single tube, and requires no intermediate DNA purification or sub-cloning. PFunkel can be used for site-directed mutagenesis at an efficiency approaching 100%. More importantly, PFunkel allows researchers the unparalleled ability to efficiently construct user-defined libraries. We demonstrate the creation of a library with site-saturation at four distal sites simultaneously at 70% efficiency. We also employ PFunkel to create a comprehensive codon mutagenesis library of the TEM-1 ß-lactamase gene. We designed this library to contain 18,081 members, one for each possible codon substitution in the gene (287 positions in TEM-1 x 63 possible codon substitutions). Deep sequencing revealed that ∼97% of the designed single codon substitutions are present in the library. From such a library we identified 18 previously unreported adaptive mutations that each confer resistance to the ß-lactamase inhibitor tazobactam. Three of these mutations confer resistance equal to or higher than that of the most resistant reported TEM-1 allele and have the potential to emerge clinically.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Codon
  • DNA
  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed / methods*
  • Penicillanic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Plasmids
  • Tazobactam
  • Templates, Genetic
  • beta-Lactam Resistance / genetics
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics

Substances

  • Codon
  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • Penicillanic Acid
  • DNA
  • beta-Lactamases
  • beta-lactamase TEM-1
  • Tazobactam

Grants and funding

This work was supported by funding from the National Science Foundation [CBET-0828724 and DEB-0950939 to M.O.]. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.