Cloning multiple copies of a DNA segment.

A method for self-ligation of DNA segments, which is based on the rotational non-equivalence of ends produced by AvaI cleavage, has been developed. Using this method and an initiator molecule to encourage the formation of long polymers, we have obtained a plasmid containing 34 repeats of a 123-bp rat DNA segment. All of the repeats are in the same orientation, and the plasmid is quite stable. It should be possible to polymerize any DNA segment by this method. Potential uses of the procedure include production of large amounts of small, homogeneous DNAs for physical studies such as X-ray crystallography, and increasing the expression of cloned genes in bacteria.