RecBC, sbcB independent, (AT)n-mediated deletion of sequences flanking a Xenopus laevis beta globin gene on propagation in E. coli.

Plasmids containing sequences 3' of the adult beta 1 globin gene of Xenopus laevis are unstable on propagation in a range of E. coli host strains. Up to 300 bp of Xenopus DNA are lost by rec A independent recombination between (AT)37 and (AT)17 sequences. Additionally, smaller deletions occurring in or around the (AT)37 sequence are observed. Deletion of these potential cruciform structures occurs in the absence of exonuclease I, exonuclease V and exonuclease VIII as the same pattern of deletion events is observed in recA recBC sbcB and recBC sbcA recE strains.