Canonical nucleosides can be utilized by T4 DNA ligase as universal template bases at ligation junctions.

T4 DNA ligase catalyzes the template-dependent ligation of DNA. Using T4 DNA ligase under specific experimental conditions, we demonstrate that each of the four canonical nucleosides, centrally located on a template molecule such that they flank the site of ligation, can direct the ligation of nucleic acids regardless of the identity of the terminal nucleosides being covalently joined. This universal templating capability extends to those positions adjacent to the ligation junction. This is the first report, irrespective of the ligation method used or the identity of the template nucleosides (including analogs), which shows that nucleosides can act essentially as universal templates at ligation junctions in vitro. The canonical nucleosides do, however, differ in their ability to template sequence- independent ligations, with thymidine and guanosine being equally effective, yet more effective than adenosine and cytidine. Results indicate that hybridization strength surrounding the ligation junction is an important factor. The implications of this previously undiscovered property of T4 DNA ligase with canonical nucleosides are discussed.