Which of the following enzyme(s) are NOT essential for gene cloning?

A. Restriction enzymes

B. DNA ligase

C. DNA mutase

D. DNA recombinase

E. DNA polymerase

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Solution:

Gene cloning, a fundamental process in recombinant DNA technology, relies on specific enzymes. Restriction enzymes are essential for cutting DNA at specific recognition sites, creating fragments with sticky or blunt ends. DNA ligase is crucial for joining these DNA fragments, specifically the gene of interest into a vector. DNA polymerase is often used in gene cloning, particularly for amplifying the gene of interest via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) before insertion into a vector, or for filling in sticky ends.

However, DNA mutase is an enzyme that introduces mutations into DNA, which is generally not a desired or essential step in standard gene cloning. DNA recombinase is involved in genetic recombination processes, but it is not a primary enzyme used for the in vitro insertion of a gene into a plasmid vector in typical gene cloning protocols. The core enzymes for gene cloning are restriction enzymes and DNA ligase, with DNA polymerase being highly useful for preparatory steps like amplification.

Therefore, DNA mutase (C) and DNA recombinase (D) are NOT essential for gene cloning.