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The α-Amylase Gene as a Marker for Gene Cloning: Direct Screening of Recombinant Clones

Abstract

We report the construction and use of a new system for the direct screening of recombinant clones after transformation. The system uses a Bacillus subtilis-Escherichia coli shuttle vector that carries the B. subtilis structural gene for α-amylase. Insertion of foreign DNA into this gene results in a loss of amylolytic activity in the host cells that can be assayed using a simple and inexpensive staining procedure.

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Ikuta, N., Souza, M., Valencia, F. et al. The α-Amylase Gene as a Marker for Gene Cloning: Direct Screening of Recombinant Clones. Nat Biotechnol 8, 241–242 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0390-241

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