Product Overview

T4 RNA Ligase 1 is an ATP-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the formation of a phosphodiester bond between a 5′-phosphate terminus and a 3′-hydroxyl terminus. Its substrates are single-stranded RNA, single-stranded DNA, or mononucleotides, and the reaction can take place intermolecularly (joining two separate molecules) or intramolecularly (joining the two ends of one molecule). Because it acts on single-stranded ends, it is a basic tool for building and modifying RNA and short DNA molecules.

The enzyme is produced by expressing the T4 phage gene in E. coli. It is used in a range of applications:

• Intermolecular joining of ssRNA
• Joining of ssRNA to ssDNA
• Labeling the 3′-OH ends of ssRNA with the radioisotope 5′-[³²P]pCp
• Synthesis of single-stranded oligo RNAs and oligo DNAs
• Specialized modification of tRNAs
• Introduction of non-natural amino acids into proteins

This breadth makes T4 RNA Ligase 1 a useful component in RNA research workflows, and a raw material for kit and reagent manufacturers that build RNA ligation steps into their own products.

Product Features

• Joins single-stranded RNA, DNA, and mononucleotides: The enzyme ligates the 5′-phosphate and 3′-hydroxyl termini of ssRNA, ssDNA, or mononucleotides, so it works on RNA-RNA and RNA-DNA joins, as well as on single nucleotides.
• Intermolecular and intramolecular ligation: It supports both joining of separate molecules and ligation within one molecule, which gives flexibility across different experimental designs.
• Broad application coverage: Applications include joining of ssRNA, joining of ssRNA to ssDNA, ³²P 3′-end labeling of RNA with 5′-[³²P]pCp, synthesis of oligo RNAs and DNAs, tRNA modification, and introduction of non-natural amino acids into proteins.

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