Difference between YAC and BAC Vectors

The Difference between YAC and BAC Vectors is in their insert size, stability, host organism, and versatility. YAC vectors are good at holding large pieces of DNA, ranging from 100-3000 kbp base pairs. On the other hand, BAC vectors can hold smaller pieces of DNA, typically ranging from 150-350 kbp base pairs. YAC and BAC vectors can be chosen based on research, considering factors like the size of the genetic material they want to work with, stability, etc. In this article, we will learn about YAC and BAC vectors, their differences, and their properties.

Difference Between YAC and BAC Vectors

The selection of BAC or YAC vectors is dependent upon the particular demands of the research activity, taking into consideration factors such as insert sizes, stability, and the compatibility of the host organism for the proposed use.

Features	YAC Vector	BAC Vector
Definition	Large DNA pieces may be cloned and altered in yeast cells, particularly Saccharomyces cerevisiae, using a form of vector known as a Yeast Artificial Chromosome (YAC).	Large DNA segments are cloned and altered in bacterial cells using a form of a vector called a Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) in molecular biology.
Insert length	High insert size fragments (from 100 kb to more than 1 Mb) often can be accommodated by YAC vectors.	BAC vectors generally range in insert size from 100 kb to 300 kb, which is a more constrained range than that of YAC vectors.
Construction	Difficult to construct	Easy to Construct
Host organism	YAC vectors are inserted into Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other yeast cells. Large pieces of eukaryotic DNA can be cloned because yeast cells offer a eukaryotic environment.	Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most frequent bacterial cell into which BAC vectors are introduced.
Chimerism	They are chimeric	They are rarely chimeric
Stability	It’s possible that YAC vectors clone less efficiently than BAC vectors, in part because big DNA insert stability presents difficulties. In yeast, insert stability can be affected by DNA replication.	When it comes to cloning efficiency, BAC vectors typically surpass YAC vectors. BAC inserts usually have greater stability during bacterial reproduction.
Modification	Recombination in yeast is highly possible and constantly occurs. Consequently, it may result in YAC deletions and other rearrangements.	Recombination of E. Coli is inhibited and activated as needed. In other words, it lessens the unintended rearrangement in BACs.
Maintainance	Difficult to maintained	Easy to maintained
Limitation	Limitations may include YAC insert instability and decreased cloning efficiency.	Their usage is restricted to particular applications involving vast genomic areas because to their reduced insert size when compared to YAC vectors.
Application	Genome Mapping Functional Genomics Genomic Libraries Human Genome Project	Large-Scale Genomic Sequencing Genomic Libraries Functional Genomics Transgenic Organism Production Comparative Genomics

What are Vectors?

The term “vector” in molecular biology refers to the carriers or means of transporting genetic material such as DNA fragments from one organism to another. Because they make it easier to introduce and manipulate genes or DNA sequences, these carriers are essential to genetic engineering and biotechnology. Cloning, gene expression research, and the synthesis of recombinant proteins are popular uses for vectors. They act as the channel for the desired genetic material, allowing it to enter host cells and undergo processes like transcription, translation, and replication.

What are BAC Vectors?

Large DNA segments are cloned and altered in bacterial cells using a form of a vector called a Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) in molecular biology. Large molecule of foreign DNA may be maintained steadily in BACs because they are made to resemble normal bacterial chromosomes. It is possible to introduce big DNA portions into a BAC, such as genomic DNA or lengthy gene sequences. Bacterial cells serve as the host organism when the BAC containing the inserted DNA is implanted into them. Researchers can only identify and develop bacteria that have successfully absorbed the appropriate DNA fragment into the BAC thanks to the antibiotic resistance gene present in the BAC.

Examples Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) Vectors are pBeloBAC and pBACe3.6.

Advantages of BAC

Advantages of BAC are:

• When it comes to cloning efficiency, BAC vectors typically outperform YAC vectors.
• When replicating in bacterial cells, BAC vectors undergo fewer rearrangements than YAC vectors, making them more stable.

Disadvantages of BAC

Disadvantages of BAC are:

• BAC vectors are often limited to insert sizes between 100 and 300 kb, which is smaller than that of YAC vectors. This restriction might be a challenge for research projects that need the cloning of extensive genomic areas.
• A prokaryotic environment develops when BAC vectors are inserted into bacterial cells. Effective cloning is aided by this, but the complex nature of eukaryotic gene regulation and function may be lost in the process.

What are YAC Vectors?

Large DNA pieces may be cloned and altered in yeast cells, particularly Saccharomyces cerevisiae, using a form of vector known as a Yeast Artificial Chromosome (YAC). Large DNA inserts may be replicated and maintained steadily thanks to YACs, which are made to resemble the shape and activity of natural yeast chromosomes. Large DNA pieces may be introduced into a YAC, including whole genes or regulatory regions. The foreign DNA carrying YAC is subsequently inserted into yeast cells, acting as the host organism. The YAC functions like a natural yeast chromosome thanks to the combination of its telomeres, centromere, and replication origin. This allows the inserted DNA to be accurately transmitted during cell division and maintained throughout time.

Examples of Yeast Artificial Chromosome (YAC) Vectors are pYAC4 and pYAC3

Advantages of YAC

Advantages of YAC are:

• Large DNA pieces, frequently larger than 1 megabase pair, may be accommodated in YAC vectors.
• YAC vectors are used to establish a eukaryotic environment in yeast cells. Because the cellular machinery of eukaryotic species is similar to that of higher ones, this is helpful for analyzing complicated eukaryotic genomes.

Aslo Read: Molecular Diagnosis

Disadvantages of YAC

Disadvantages of YAC are:

• When cloning, BAC vectors tend to clone more efficiently than YAC vectors. Large insert instability might make it more challenging to keep the copied DNA intact during replication.
• During propagation, YAC vectors are more likely to undergo rearrangements such deletions and insertions. Cloned genomic fragment accuracy may suffer from this instability.

Conclusion – Difference between YAC and BAC Vectors

In molecular biology, bacterial artificial chromosomes (BAC) and yeast artificial chromosomes (YAC) are important tools especially for cloning and genomic studies. Large DNA pieces can be successfully cloned using both BAC and YAC vectors, however their host species, insert size capabilities, replication sources, stability, cloning efficiency, and intended uses vary. Based on the specifications of their studies and the properties of the DNA fragments they want to clone or modify, researchers choose the best vector.

FAQs on YAC and BAC Vectors

What are BACs and YACs?

Artificial chromosomes, like BACs, and YACs, are vectors that transport larger gene sequences, crucial for manipulating and studying extensive DNA fragments, from genomic regions to entire genes.

What is the Difference Between a Plasmid and a BAC?

Unlike typical plasmids, which replicate to numerous copies per cell, Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes (BACs) are maintained as a single copy within each bacterial cell.

What is the Difference Between Cloning Vector and Expression Vector?

A cloning vector is employed to replicate multiple copies of the foreign DNA fragment (gene of interest), while an expression vector is used to generate the gene product—either RNA or proteinderived from the DNA (gene of interest).

What is the Full Form of BAC Vector?

Full form of BAC vector is Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC).

Is pBR322 a BAC Vector?

No, pBR322 is not a BAC (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome) vector. pBR322 is a plasmid vector, which is a small, circular DNA molecule that replicates independently within bacterial cells.

What is the Role of BAC and YAC in HGP?

Yeast Artificial Chromosomes (YACs) and Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes (BACs), serving as artificial chromosomes, were employed to clone extensive sections of the human genome.

What is YAC Used for?

A Yeast Artificial Chromosome (YAC) is a genetically engineered DNA molecule utilized for cloning DNA sequences within yeast cells.

Are BAC and YAC Cloning Vectors?

BACs, cosmids, phages, plasmids, and YACs are common cloning vectors with capacities ranging from 100 bp to 1000 kb.