Presence of cloning vector sequences in the untranslated region of some genes in Genbank

We found multiple cloning site sequences in the reported untranslated regio ns (UTR) of several genes in Genbank, The erroneous information can result in the failure to amplify DNA fragments containing untranslated regions by RT-PCR, It is suggested that a BLAST search be performed when primers are d esigned for PCR amplification of the 5' or 3' UTR of genes to ensure that t he reported UTR does not contain plasmid-derived sequences. Copyright (C) 2 000 National Science Council. ROC and S. Karger AG. Basel.