Deletion loop mutagenesis: a novel method for the construction of point mutations using deletion mutants.

Deletion loop mutagenesis is a new, general method for site-directed mutagenesis that allows point mutations to the introduced within a sequence of DNA defined by a previously isolated deletion mutant. Wild type and deletion mutant DNA are cloned into a bacterial plasmid and each is cleaved with a different single cut restriction enzyme. Heteroduplexes are formed between the two DNAs to produce circular molecules containing a nick in each strand and a single-stranded deletion loop. The deletion loops are mutagenised using sodium bisulphite and the DNA transfected directly into a uracil repair deficient strain of Escherichia coli. Up to half of the resultant clones contain DNA produced by replication of the wild-type length strand and bear mutations exclusively within the target area. An example is given in which a deletion mutant lacking 21 nucleotides from the region coding for SV40 large-T was used. Eight of the possible nine target cytosine residues were mutagenised. The method described is specific, efficient and simple.