8.6: DNA Ligase

DNA ligase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in joining DNA fragments. After restriction enzymes cut DNA into fragments, those fragments must be reconnected in a controlled way to form new combinations of DNA. DNA ligase performs this task by "gluing together" DNA fragments, joining them to vectors.

This "gluing" process is known as ligation. During ligation, DNA ligase connects the fragment of foreign DNA with the plasmid vector that has been cut with the same restriction enzyme. Because sticky ends from different DNA fragments can base-pair with each other, DNA ligase can then seal the strands together, creating a stable recombinant DNA molecule. Without DNA ligase, the inserted DNA fragment would not remain permanently attached to the vector.

Image credit: Scott Sanker on Unsplash Link to glue image [unsplash.com]

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