Zeocin

Zeocin is a commonly used antibiotic in molecular biology and genetic engineering research. It is a member of the bleomycin/phleomycin class of antibiotics and is produced by the bacterium Streptomyces zeomicini. Zeocin is used as a selective agent in transformation protocols to identify and isolate transgenic cells.

Mechanism of Action

Zeocin works by binding to DNA and causing double strand breaks. This leads to cell death unless the cell can repair the damage. In eukaryotic cells, the phosphotransferase enzyme, encoded by the Sh ble gene, can confer resistance to Zeocin. This enzyme dephosphorylates Zeocin, rendering it unable to bind to DNA and cause damage.

Use in Research

In molecular biology and genetic engineering, Zeocin is used as a selective agent to isolate cells that have been successfully transformed with a plasmid carrying the Sh ble gene. After transformation, cells are grown in a medium containing Zeocin. Only those cells that have incorporated the plasmid and can express the Sh ble gene will survive, allowing for easy identification and isolation of transformed cells.

Safety and Handling

Zeocin is a potent antibiotic and should be handled with care. It is recommended to use personal protective equipment when handling Zeocin and to follow all safety guidelines for handling biohazardous materials.

See Also

• Antibiotic resistance
• Genetic transformation
• Molecular biology
• Genetic engineering