Animated Dictionnary Definition

Ligase

An enzyme which catalyses a ligation reaction in which two pieces of DNA are linked together. The reaction uses energy released by the splitting of a pyrophosphate group from ATP.

View the molecule in Rasmol

View Dr Chromo's lecture on 'Ligation'.

Pronounce:

Related Links

This is a search for ligase in our database

DNA ligase (pdb - molecule of the month): DNA ligase reconnects DNA strands when they are broken. It uses a cofactor molecule (shown in red) for power and a special lysine amino acid (shown in magenta) to perform the reaction.
DNA ligation protocol: DNA ligation is the process of joining together two DNA molecule ends (either from the same or different molecules). Specifically, it involves creating a phosphodiester bond bond between the 3\' hydroxyl of one nucleotide and the 5\' phosphate of another. This reaction is usually catalyzed by a DNA ligase enzyme. This enzyme will ligate DNA fragments having blunt or overhanging, complementary, \'sticky\' ends. Typically, it is easier to ligate molecules with complementary sticky ends than blunt ends. T4 DNA ligase is the most commonly used DNA ligase for molecular biology techniques and can ligate \'sticky\' or blunt ends.

Back to Glossary: A| B| C| D| E| F| G| H| I| J| K| L| M| N| O| P| Q| R| S| T| U| V| W| X| Y| Z

The Molecular Biology Notebook OnlineA Beginners' Guide to Molecular Biology

Ligase

Related Links

The Molecular Biology Notebook Online
A Beginners' Guide to Molecular Biology