Recombination in Bacillus thuringiensis

Abstract

Recombination plays a critical role in maintaining gene diversification and genome stability. There are two types of recombination: the site specific recombination and the homologous recombination. In this chapter we present the genetic recombination in Bacillus thuringiensis. The first part describes the site specific recombination, including transposition by transposons and transduction by phage, in this bacterium and its exploitation in the construction of recombinant strains of B. Thuringiensis improving their production as bioinsecticides and their insecticidal activities and B. Thuringiensis mutagenesis. In the second part we are interested by the homologous recombination and its role in the construction of improved B. Thuringiensis strains and in gene disruption.