Escherichia coli bioreporters for the detection of 2,4-dinitrotoluene and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

Yagur-Kroll, S; Lalush, C; Rosen, R; Bachar, N; Moskovitz, Y; Belkin, S

HERO ID

2065387

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2014

Language

English

PMID

23615740

HERO ID 2065387
In Press No
Year 2014
Title Escherichia coli bioreporters for the detection of 2,4-dinitrotoluene and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene
Authors Yagur-Kroll, S; Lalush, C; Rosen, R; Bachar, N; Moskovitz, Y; Belkin, S
Journal Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Volume 98
Issue 2
Page Numbers 885-895
Abstract The primary explosive found in most land mines, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (2,4,6-TNT), is often accompanied by 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) and 1,3-dinitrobenzene (1,3-DNB) impurities. The latter two compounds, being more volatile, have been reported to slowly leak through land mine covers and permeate the soil under which they are located, thus serving as potential indicators for buried land mines. We report on the construction of genetically engineered Escherichia coli bioreporter strains for the detection of these compounds, based on a genetic fusion between two gene promoters, yqjF and ybiJ, to either the green fluorescent protein gene GFPmut2 or to Photorhabdus luminescens bioluminescence luxCDABE genes. These two gene promoters were identified by exposing to 2,4-DNT a comprehensive library of about 2,000 E. coli reporter strains, each harboring a different E. coli gene promoter controlling a fluorescent protein reporter gene. Both reporter strains detected 2,4-DNT in an aqueous solution as well as in vapor form or when buried in soil. Performance of the yqjF-based sensor was significantly improved in terms of detection threshold, response time, and signal intensity, following two rounds of random mutagenesis in the promoter region. Both yqjF-based and ybiJ-based reporters were also induced by 2,4,6-TNT and 1,3-DNB. It was further demonstrated that both 2,4,6-TNT and 2,4-DNT are metabolized by E. coli and that the actual induction of both yqjF and ybiJ is caused by yet unidentified degradation products. This is the first demonstration of an E. coli whole-cell sensor strain for 2,4-DNT and 2,4,6-TNT, constructed using its own endogenous sensing elements.
Doi 10.1007/s00253-013-4888-8
Pmid 23615740
Wosid WOS:000329627600036
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Scopus URL: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84895072212&doi=10.1007%2fs00253-013-4888-8&partnerID=40&md5=1973d9bd3041173a39fee7892f392448
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene; 2,4-Dinitrotoluene; Bioluminescence; Biosensors; Land mine