Deletion frequency between repeated sequences depends on the genetic context.

<p><b>A.</b> Schematic representation of the genetic recombination assay. The 5’ and 3’ parts of the <i>tetA</i> gene, containing 438 bp repeats (black boxes) separated by an intervening sequence of 1,479 bp encoding a <i>spc</i> gene conferring resistance to spectinomycin, were introduced into the dispensable <i>amyE</i> gene locus. Recombination between the repeats leads to the <i>tetA</i> gene reconstitution conferring tetracycline resistance to bacteria. <b>B.</b> Medians of [Tet^R] frequencies in WT (GY12949), Δ<i>recA</i> (GY15184), Δ<i>radA</i> (GY12956), Δ<i>recA</i>Δ<i>radA</i> (GY12971), Δ<i>recO</i> (GY12963), Δ<i>recF</i> (GY12955), Δ<i>uvrD</i> (GY12953), Δ<i>ddrB</i> (GY16016), Δ<i>ddrB</i> Δ<i>recA</i> (GY16628), and Δ<i>ddrB</i> Δ<i>recO</i> (GY16638) mutant strains are represented by Tukey box plots. Outliers are represented by open circles. Medians were calculated from 12 to 53 independent values (except for medians calculated from at least 4 independent values in Δ<i>radA</i> and Δ<i>recA</i> Δ<i>radA</i> bacteria). Statistically significant differences in the medians of recombination frequencies of the mutants, compared to those observed in strain GY12949, were calculated using the non-parametric Dunn's multiple comparison test: * P < 0.05; ** P < 0.01; *** P < 0.001; ns if P > 0.05.