Mutation Accumulation Assay in Corynebacterium glutamicum

Mismatch repair (MMR) system based on MutS functions to eliminate mismatches originating from replication errors. MutS detects various types of mismatches and dysfunction in MMR increases all types mutations. Despite the extensive conservation of mutS homologues throughout three domains of life, Actinobacteria and a part of archaea have no gene homologous to mutS. Mutation rates of these organisms are comparable to that in other organisms equipped with MutS-based MMR system. Recently, we identified nucS gene as a key player of non-canonical MMR system in Corynebacterium glutamicum. Here, we report the results of mutation accumulation assay examined to characterize the NucS-dependent MMR system.