Utilization of the ComRS System for the Rapid Markerless Deletion of Chromosomal Genes in Streptococcus Suis

Three phylogenetic clusters of ComR were identified to function for natural transformation by specific recognition to competence pheromone in S. suis. Thus, they were employed to establish gene deletion method. Its efficiency for genetic replacement was dependent on the length of homologs fragment and the concentration of donor DNA. This rapid gene-editing technique may greatly facilitate molecular studies on S. suis.