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 alpha-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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