Use of the lambda Red recombinase system to produce recombinant prophages carrying antibiotic resistance genes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Red recombinase system of bacteriophage lambda has been used to inactivate chromosomal genes in E. coli K-12 through homologous recombination using linear PCR products. The aim of this study was to induce mutations in the genome of some temperate Shiga toxin encoding bacteriophages. When phage genes are in the prophage state, they behave like chromosomal genes. This enables marker genes, such as antibiotic resistance genes, to be incorporated into the stx gene. Once the phages' lytic cycle is activated, recombinant Shiga toxin converting phages are produced. These phages can transfer the marker genes to the bacteria that they infect and convert. As the Red system's effectiveness decreased when used for our purposes, we had to introduce significant variations to the o

SUBMITTER: Serra-Moreno R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1626079 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature