Development of a rapid, simple and efficient one-pot cloning method for a reverse genetics system of broad subtypes of influenza A virus

Sci Rep. 2019 Jun 5;9(1):8318. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-44813-z.

Abstract

The reverse genetics (RG) system of influenza A viruses is well established. However, the conventional sequence-dependent method for cloning influenza genome segments is time-consuming and requires multiple processes (eg. enzyme digestion and ligation) and exhibits low cloning efficiency compared to the sequence-independent cloning method. In this study, we improved influenza genome cloning into the pHW2000 vector for an RG system by incorporating a sequence-independent circular polymerase extension cloning (CPEC) approach which requires only 2 steps (reverse transcription and one-pot CPEC-PCR) and takes about 4 hours before the transformation. The specifically designed viral gene and vector primers used for CPEC-PCR have improved cloning efficiency ranging from 63.6 to 100% based on the results of gene-specific colony PCR which was additionally confirmed by enzyme digestion. We successfully cloned all genes from broad subtypes of influenza A viruses (H1-H12, N1-N9) and rescued by the RG system. Our results demonstrate that this method-one-Pot cloning for influenza A virus-was efficient in terms of required time and cloning rate. In conclusion, the novel cloning method for influenza A virus will contribute to a significant reduction in the time required for genetic studies of emerging influenza viruses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cloning, Molecular*
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Dogs
  • Genes, Viral
  • Genetic Vectors
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Influenza A virus / genetics*
  • Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  • Phenotype
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Reverse Genetics / methods*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Complementary