[Chemical synthesis and cloning of the human epidermal growth factor gene]

The solid-phase phosphotriester method was used to synthesise 24 oligodeoxyribonucleotides, which were enzymatically joined together to give the human epidermal growth factor gene and its analogue containing Leu codon in position 21. The primary structure of the cloned genes were confirmed by the Maxam-Gilbert technique. It is demonstrated that the high purity degree of oligonucleotides allows to synthesise and clone genes without purification of intermediate fragments.