Modulating the Properties of Metal-Sensing Whole-Cell Bioreporters by Interfering withEscherichia coliMetal Homeostasis

Yoon, Y; Kang, Y; Lee, W; Oh, KC; Jang, G; Kim, BG

HERO ID

4242101

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2018

Language

English

PMID

29212299

HERO ID 4242101
In Press No
Year 2018
Title Modulating the Properties of Metal-Sensing Whole-Cell Bioreporters by Interfering withEscherichia coliMetal Homeostasis
Authors Yoon, Y; Kang, Y; Lee, W; Oh, KC; Jang, G; Kim, BG
Journal Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
Volume 28
Issue 2
Page Numbers 323-329
Abstract InEscherichia coli, the transcription of genes related to metal homeostasis is activated by the presence of target metals. The promoter regions of those genes can be fused with reporter genes to generate whole-cell bioreporters (WCBs); these organisms sense the presence of target metals through reporter gene expression. However, the limited number of available promoters for sensing domains restricts the number of WCB targets. In this study, we have demonstrated an alternative method to generate novel WCBs, based on the notion that since the sensing mechanisms of WCBs are related to metal transportation systems, their properties can be modulated by disrupting metal homeostasis. MutantE. colistrains were generated by deleting theznt-operon geneszntA, which encodes a zinc-export protein, andzntR, which encodes aznt-operon regulatory protein, to investigate the effects on the metal-sensing properties of WCBs. Deletion ofzntAincreased the sensitivity but abolished the selectivity of cadmium-sensing WCBs, whereas arsenic-sensing WCBs gained sensitivity toward cadmium. WhenzntRwas deleted, cadmium-sensing WCBs lost the ability to detect cadmium, and this was recovered by introducing exogenouszntR. In addition, the metal-binding site of ZntR was genetically engineered to modulate metal selectivity. This study provides a valuable platform for the development of novelE. coli-based WCBs.
Doi 10.4014/jmb.1710.10012
Pmid 29212299
Wosid WOS:000426920600018
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English