DNA Sequencing Flashcards
What is DNA sequencing?
DNA sequencing is the process of determining the nucleic acid sequence – the order of nucleotides in DNA.
What is the basic principle of DNA sequencing?
The process of DNA sequencing involves both the determination of the unknown bases in the strands of DNA and the sequence in which they occur.
What do you need for DNA sequencing to work?
To sequence a DNA molecule a purified single strand of the DNA is required.
Also, for DNA sequencing to work, the identity of the bases in a short sequence has to be known.
How many stages of DNA sequencing are there and what are they?
There are four stages: Preparation of the reaction mixtures, DNA synthesis in the Reaction Mixtures, Gel Electrophoresis and Autoradiography.
What is needed in step one of DNA sequencing?
Single-stranded DNA with unknown sequence, Radioactively labelled primer, DNA polymerase and Normal Nucleotides
What is added to each of the four reaction mixtures?
A specific dideoxynucleotide is added (one type of ddNTP per tube)
What are the four dideoxynucletides?
ddATP, ddTTP. ddCTP and ddGTP
What happens during step two of DNA sequencing?
Primer binds to the template sequence
How does the primer bind to the template strand?
Compliments the known sequence & therefore can bind to it and is Radioactively labelled
What happens during step three of DNA sequencing?
DNA polymerase can begin to synthesise DNA, because of the presence of the primer
Can the DNA polymerase synthesise DNA without a primer?
No
What happens during step four of DNA sequencing?
DNA polymerase uses the template strand to synthesise a new DNA sequence by inserting complementary dNTPs
What happens during step five of DNA sequencing?
DNA polymerase continues synthesising DNA with dNTPs
What happens if DNA Polymerase incorporates the ddNTP present in the reaction tube?
Synthesis of the new DNA will be terminated
Why does the synthesis stop if a dideoxynucleotide is added?
If a ddNTP is added to a growing DNA strand, the chain is not extended any further because the free 3′ OH group needed to add another nucleotide is not available.