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
Gene cloning involves cutting DNA (restriction enzymes), joining DNA fragments (DNA ligase), and copying DNA (DNA polymerase). DNA mutase (which isn't a standard enzyme used in molecular biology) and DNA recombinase (while involved in natural recombination, not typically a required enzyme in standard gene cloning protocols using plasmid vectors) are not essential for this process. DNA polymerase is essential for replicating the cloned DNA within the host organism.