A functional recT gene for recombineering of Clostridium

Recombineering is an efficient genetic manipulation method employing the mechanism of phagenic RecT-mediated homologous recombination. To develop a recombineering method for Clostridium, a putative recT gene (CPF0939) from Clostridium perfringens genome was functionally verified in a clostridial host Clostridium acetobutylicum. We show that a short synthetic oligonucleotide can be introduced into the target site for specific point mutation. This functional recT gene would therefore contribute to development of recombineering tools for Clostridium. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.