What is the Difference Between YAC and BAC Vectors?

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YAC (Yeast Artificial Chromosome) and BAC (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome) vectors are DNA constructs used for cloning large fragments of DNA. They differ in their host organisms, insert sizes, construction, replication mechanisms, applications, and stability. Some key differences between YAC and BAC vectors include:

  1. Host Organisms: YAC vectors are used for cloning DNA in yeasts, while BAC vectors are used for cloning DNA in bacteria, specifically E. coli.
  2. Insert Sizes: YAC vectors can accommodate a gene sequence of 100-1000 kbp, while BAC vectors can insert a gene sequence of 150-350 kbp.
  3. Construction: YAC vectors are based on regions of yeast chromosomes like ARS, while BAC vectors are based on functional fertility plasmids (F-plasmids) of E. coli.
  4. Replication: Only one vector occurs per yeast cell in YAC, while 1-2 vectors are found per bacterial cell in BAC.
  5. Stability: YAC vectors are less stable and may produce chimeric effects (deletion and inversion of cloned sequences), while BAC vectors are more stable and do not have such disadvantages.
  6. Advantages: YAC vectors have the advantage of a large insert size, while BAC vectors are more stable, easy to manipulate, and provide a better chromosome coverage map.
  7. Applications: Both YAC and BAC vectors are valuable tools for cloning and studying large DNA fragments, but they differ in their specific research goals and the nature of the DNA fragments.

Today, BAC vectors are generally preferred over YAC vectors due to their greater efficiency, stability, and ease of construction.

Comparative Table: YAC vs BAC Vectors

Here is a table highlighting the differences between YAC and BAC vectors:

Feature YAC Vectors (Yeast Artificial Chromosomes) BAC Vectors (Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes)
Description DNA constructs used for cloning DNA in yeasts DNA constructs used for cloning DNA in bacteria, primarily E. coli
Cloning Capacity Can accommodate inserts ranging from 100 to 1000 kb in size Can accommodate inserts ranging from 100 to 200 kb in size
Copy Number Single YAC vector per yeast cell 1-2 BAC vectors per bacterial cell
Stability Less stable More stable
Advantages None mentioned Faster and more efficient creation, better chromosome coverage map
Disadvantages Possibility of gene deletion and gene recombination or inversion in the inserted gene sequence None mentioned

YAC vectors are artificially constructed systems that utilize a specific region of yeast chromosomes to insert large segments of genetic material. On the other hand, BAC vectors utilize a specific region of E. coli chromosomes to insert large segments of DNA into E. coli cells. The key difference lies in the molecular components for replication contained within each vector, with YAC vectors carrying components for replication inside yeast and BAC vectors containing components for replication inside bacteria.