What is the difference between the pCR2.1-TOPO and pCR4-TOPO vectors?
The vector backbones for both of these vectors are very similar. The main difference is that the pCR4-TOPO vector has sequencing primer sites located as close as 33 base pairs from the PCR product insertion site. This minimizes the amount of vector DNA sequence that needs to be read before reaching the sequence of the insert, making the pCR4-TOPO vector very useful for sequencing applications.
What is the difference between the pCR2.1-TOPO and pCRII-TOPO vectors?
The vector backbones for both of these vectors are very similar. The main difference is that the pCRII-TOPO vector is a dual promoter vector, containing the SP6 and T7 promoters for in vitro transcription/sequencing, whereas the pCR2.1-TOPO vector contains only the T7 promoter for in vitro transcription/sequencing. Both vectors contain the M13 Forward and Reverse primer sites for sequencing or PCR screening.
Your TOPO cloning kits contain a control template and control primers. Can I obtain the sequence of the control template?
The sequence of the control template is proprietary.
What is the best molar ratio of PCR product:vector to use for TOPO TA cloning? Is there an equation to calculate the quantity to use?
We suggest starting with a molar ratio of 1:1 (insert:vector), with a range of 0.5:1 to 2:1. The quantity used in a TOPO cloning reaction is typically 5-10 ng of a 2 kb PCR product.
Equation:
length of insert (bp)/length of vector (bp) x ng of vector = ng of insert needed for 1:1 (insert:vector ratio)
What is the best ratio of insert:vector to use for cloning? Is there an equation to calculate this?
The optimal ratio is 1:1 insert to vector. Optimization can be done using a ratio of 0.5-2 molecules of insert for every molecule of the vector.
Equation:
length of insert (bp)/length of vector (bp) x ng of vector = ng of insert needed for 1:1 insert:vector ratio