Highly efficient positive selection of recombinant plasmids using a novel rglB-based Escherichia coli K-12 vector system.

We have developed pBR328-derived vectors which allow highly efficient positive selection of recombinant plasmids. The system is based on the rglB-coded restriction activity of Escherichia coli K-12 directed against 5-methylcytosine (5mC)-containing DNA. The vectors code for cytosine-specific, temperature-sensitive DNA methyltransferases (ts-Mtases), whose specificity elicits RglB restriction. 5mC-free vector DNA - a prerequisite to allow establishment of such plasmids in cells expressing the RglB nuclease activity - can be prepared from cultures grown at 42 degrees C. At 30 degrees C the vector plasmids are vulnerable to RglB restriction due to the expression of suicidal Mtase activity. Cloning a DNA fragment into the ts-Mtase-coding gene disrupts the lethal methylation and thus permits selection of such recombinant plasmids at 30 degrees C. The standard vector used, pBN73, contains unique recognition sites for nine restriction enzymes within the ts-Mtase-coding gene, which can be used independently or in combination for the construction of recombinant plasmids selectable by the rglB-coded activity. Plasmid pBN74, which carries the determinants for both the ts-Mtase and the RglB nuclease, contains seven unique sites within the ts-Mtase-coding gene. While selection of recombinant plasmids derived from pBN73 obligatorily requires the employment of rglB+ strains, selection of pBN74 derivatives can be performed independent of the E. coli-host genotype. It remains to be elucidated whether positive selection of pBN74-derived recombinant plasmids can also be achieved in hosts other than E. coli. Plasmids pBN73, pBN74 and the recombinants are structurally stable. Generally applicable procedures, as developed during the establishment of this vector system, are described; they allow the isolation of ts-Mtases and facilitate the cloning of genes coding for nucleases directed against 5mC-containing DNA.