Bacteriophage lambda and plasmid vectors, allowing fusion of cloned genes in each of the three translational phases.

We have constructed vectors from bacteriophage lambda and from plasmid pBR322 having a single EcoRI restriction site which is immediately downstream from the lac UV5 promotor. Each vector allows the fusion of a cloned gene to the lac Z gene in a different phase relative to the translation initiation codon of the lac Z gene. These vectors were constructed through modification of the initial EcoRI restriction site by S1 endonuclease treatment and then addition of octadeoxyribonucleotides (EcoRI linkers), which shifted the restriction site by 2 or 4 nucleotides. Used in combination these vectors should allow translation of a cloned gene in any one of the three coding phases. The bacteriophages vectors are certified as B2 (EK2) safety level vectors by the French "recombinaison génétique in vitro" committee (D.G.R.S.T.).