PCR was performed in 50 l volumes using 0.5 g of genomic DNA extracted from whole blood (see section DNAprep). Added were 4 l of a dNTP mix (200 M each, Pharmacia), 5 l tenfold Taq-polymerase buffer (Promega), 1.5mM MgCl (3 l 25mM MgCl ) and 2.5 units Taq-DNA polymerase (Promega). The polymerase buffer consisted of 50mM KCl, 10mM Tris HCl (pH 9.0 at room temperature) and 1% Triton X-100 . Both primers ( 25 and 231) were used at a final concentration of 0.5 M each (25 pmol added).
The reaction volume was mixed, shortly centrifuged and overlayed with 30 l mineral oil. After amplification, the mineral oil was removed by extraction with 100 l chloroform and the amplified DNA precipitated with two volumes absolute ethanol (see section EtOH). The isolated pellet was then resuspended in 15 l water and a 4 l sample was visualized on an agarose-gel to ensure positive reaction together with a negative control (PCR mixture without added template).
The primers had an integrated EcoRI linker for subcloning:
The following table summarizes the characteristics of the used primer pair 25/ 231. The theoretical melting point T can be calculated using different methods, all three referenced in section primertemp are given.
Table 3.2: Cloning primers characteristics
For cycle protocol, an initial denaturation step (95psy176 C for 2 minutes) was followed by an annealing step (53psy176 C), extension step (72psy176 C) and denaturing step (94psy176 C), each of one minute. After 35 cycles, a final extension step (72psy176 C) of 5 minutes was added.