Read the following passage carefully and answer the given questions.

DNA recombinant technology involves the use of restriction endonucleases. After having cloned the gene of interest and having optimised the conditions to induce the expression of the target protein, one has to consider producing it on a large scale. The cells harbouring cloned genes of interest may be grown on a small scale in the laboratory. In order to link the alien DNA, the vector needs to have very few, preferably single, recognition sites for the commonly used restriction enzymes. Presence of more than one recognition sites within the vector will generate several fragments, which will complicate the gene cloning. In Biolistics or gene gun method cells are bombarded with high velocity micro particles of gold or tungsten coated with DNA. The ligation of alien DNA is carried out at a restriction site present in one of the two antibiotic resistance genes. For example, you can ligate a foreign DNA at the BamHI site of tetracycline resistance gene in the vector pBR322. Since the DNA is enclosed within the membranes, we have to break the cell open to release DNA along with other macromolecules such as RNA, proteins, polysaccharides and also lipids. The RNA can be removed by treatment with ribonuclease whereas proteins can be removed by treatment with protease. Other molecules can be removed by appropriate treatments and purified DNA ultimately precipitates out after the addition of chilled ethanol.

Which one of the following enzymes works as molecular glue?

Ligase

The correct answer is Option (2) → Ligase 

Ligase → Joins (seals) two fragments of DNA together by forming a phosphodiester bond. That’s why it is called the “molecular glue” in genetic engineering. For example, DNA ligase is used in recombinant DNA technology to join foreign DNA with a plasmid.

Exonuclease → Cuts nucleotides one by one from the end of DNA/RNA.

Endonuclease → Cuts DNA/RNA at specific internal sites.

Polymerase → Synthesizes new DNA or RNA strands.