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Abstract
RecD of the RecBCD enzyme complex is required for exonuclease activity. RecD mutants lacking in nuclease activity have been commonly used in the transformation of linear DNA to increase its stability in the cytoplasm, allowing for higher transformation frequency. Since transposition involves a linear DNA intermediate, this suggests that the RecD exonuclease activity may decrease the frequency of transposition. In this study, using a λ phage delivery system, we compared the transposition frequency of Tn 10 in wild type and mutant recD strains of Escherichia coli. Contrary to our expectations, our results showed a 15–to–20 fold increase of Tn 10 transposition in wild type recD as compared to the recD mutant E. coli. We propose that other host factors linked to the activity of the RecBCD complex, such as RecF, may be involved in the excision of the incorporated Tn 10 from the host genome in the absence of RecBCD activity.