Versatile shuttle vectors and genomic libraries for use with Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Abstract

We have constructed a variety of pUC-based vectors designed for maintenance in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. These can be used for both gene bank construction and subcloning. Plasmids pUR18 and pUR19 are modifications of pUC vectors containing the Sc. pombe ars1 and ura4 sequences and retaining the lacZ XGal blue-white selection system for screening for DNA inserts. These vectors have been used to construct representative Sc. pombe and Saccharomyces cerevisiae genomic libraries. To assist in the creation of gene deletions, we have constructed another two plasmids. Combined with the technique of partially filling-in 5' overhangs created with restriction enzymes, these plasmids simplify the replacement of all or part of an open reading frame by a functional ura4 gene. Furthermore, such constructs can be excised with SfiI as a linear fragment for use in Sc. pombe transformations. When integrated into the Sc. pombe genome, the site of integration can be easily mapped by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis using the presence of a novel NotI site.