# DBT JRF 2020 — Question 122

Exam: DBT JRF 2020 · Section: B · Topic: Biotechnology · Difficulty: Easy

## Question

A shuttle vector is a vector that

## Options

- **A.** helps in conjugation of bacterial cells
- **B.** moves between two organisms automatically
- **C.** can replicate in the cells of more than one organism
- **D.** helps in transporting proteins from one cell to the adjacent cell

## Answer

Option C

## Explanation

A shuttle vector is a plasmid (or viral vector) engineered to replicate and be maintained in two (or more) different host organisms. Required features: (1) Two origins of replication (ori) — one functional in each host (e.g. pUC ori for E. coli + 2μ plasmid ori or ARS/CEN for S. cerevisiae). (2) Selectable markers functional in each host (e.g. ampicillin resistance for E. coli + URA3 or LEU2 for yeast). (3) Multiple cloning site (MCS) for inserting the gene of interest. Uses: manipulate DNA in E. coli (ease of cloning, rapid growth) then shuttle to yeast/mammalian/insect cells for expression and functional studies (e.g. yeast two-hybrid vectors, baculovirus transfer vectors, mammalian expression shuttle vectors). Shuttle vectors do NOT move between organisms automatically — they require transformation/transfection/infection.

Source: https://mypyqbuddy.com/questions/a-shuttle-vector-is-a-vector-that-6a05a8a02adafec470293292