Table 2 Common vectors in gene cloning

pBR322

Small size (4.4 kb), variety of cloning sites, medium copy number (15–20)

[24, 25]

pUC18 and pUC19

Small size (2.7 kb), high copy number (500–700), multiple cloning site, sequencing using M13 primers

Not good if target protein is toxic or for membrane proteins, needs blue/white screen

[24, 26]

pLG338

General purpose plasmid vector, size 7.3 kb, low copy number (6–8), genes coding for membrane and regulatory proteins which cannot be cloned into high-copy-number plasmids

[27]

pMiniT

Inserted PCR product disrupts a toxic minigene, no blue/white selection required, works for both blunt end and single-base overhang-containing PCR products

NEB

pCR™4Blunt-TOPO®

Inserted PCR product disrupts ccdB toxic gene [28], works based on topoisomerase I [29], no blue/white selection required

Needs blunt-end PCR products

Life Technologies

pDrive

Size 3.8 kb

Needs single A overhangs, not usable for proofreading DNA polymerases, needs blue/white screening

QIAGEN

StrataClone Blunt PCR Cloning Vector pSC-B-amp/kan

Uses the DNA topoisomerase I and the DNA recombination activity of Cre recombinase, up to 9 kb PCR product size

Needs blunt-end PCR products, needs special competent cells for transformation (cells expressing Cre recombinase)

Agilent Technologies

pJET1.2/blunt

Inserted PCR product disrupts the toxic gene eco47IR, no need for blue/white screen, works for both blunt end and single-base overhang-containing PCR products, up to 10 kb PCR product size

Thermo Scientific