Premium
Gene replacement by homologous recombination in Mycobacterium bovis BCG
Author(s) -
Norman Elizabeth,
Dellagostin Odir A.,
McFadden Johnjoe,
Dale Jeremy W.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2958.1995.tb02436.x
Subject(s) - homologous recombination , biology , mycobacterium bovis , gene , plasmid , mycobacterium tuberculosis , virulence , homologous chromosome , genetics , recombination , mycobacterium , tuberculosis vaccines , microbiology and biotechnology , virology , tuberculosis , bacteria , medicine , pathology
Summary Gene replacement by homologous recombination is a powerful tool for fundamental studies of gene function, as well as allowing specific attenuation of pathogens, but has proved difficult to achieve for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We have used a plasmid‐based test system to demonstrate the occurrence of homologous recombination in the tuberculosis vaccine strain Mycobacterium bovis BCG, and we have successfully replaced a target gene in BCG by homologous recombination, using a shuttle plasmid. Specific inactivation of selected genes will facilitate study of virulence factors and drug resistance as well as allowing rational attenuation of M. tuberculosis for the production of new vaccines.