What are the important features required for a plasmid vector?
Posted January 20, 2023
Answer
For a plasmid vector to be useful for recombination techniques it must have these important features:
- Be small in size, ideally less than 10KB in size, so it can integrate easily into the host cell.
- Possess an origin of replication so that it can replicate autonomously inside host cells.
- Have multiple cloning sites.
- Possess an antibiotic resistance gene or selectable marker that helps to identify and eliminate non-transformants and selectively permit the growth of transformants.
- Be capable of inserting a large DNA segment.
- Feature multiple restriction sites that are unique for different restriction endonucleases, which allows the insertion of target DNA to specific sites on the plasmid.
- Be capable of functioning under both, prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems.
Additional resources
The Facts and Family Secrets of Plasmids That Replicate via the Rolling-Circle Mechanism
Cell Structures and Organelles
Helixyte™ Green Fluorimetric dsDNA Quantitation Kit *Optimized for Broad Dynamic Range*