Rapid in vitro method to assemble and transfer DNA fragments into the JCVI-syn3B minimal synthetic bacterial genome through Cre/loxP system

JCVI-syn3B (syn3B), a minimal synthetic bacterium that only possesses essential genes, facilitates the examination of heterogeneous gene functions in minimal life. Conventionally, Escherichia coli is used to construct DNA fragments for gene transfer into the syn3B genome through Cre/loxP system. However, the construction process is challenging and time-consuming due to various issues, including the inhibition of E. coli growth and unexpected recombination, especially with AT-rich DNA sequences such as those found in Mycoplasma genes. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to develop a new transformation method to overcome these issues. We assembled the vector and target DNA fragments using an in vitro homologous recombination system and subsequently transferred the products into the syn3B genome. We obtained approximately 103[~]104 recombinant colonies per milliliter of the original culture in eight days, which is four days shorter than the conventional period, without any recombination issues, even for AT-rich DNA. This method may be applicable to other gene manipulation systems based on Cre/loxP system. SignificanceA rapid and trouble free method was developed to transfer genes to the genome of minimal synthetic bacterium JCVI-Syn3B through Cre/loxP system. This method can be applied to Cre/loxP-based gene manipulation system in various research fields.