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Re-engineering of CUP1 promoter and Cup2/Ace1 transactivator to convert Saccharomyces cerevisiae into a whole-cell eukaryotic biosensor capable of detecting 10 nM of bioavailable copper. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 214:114502. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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2
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Hahne K, Rödel G, Ostermann K. A fluorescence-based yeast sensor for monitoring acetic acid. Eng Life Sci 2021; 21:303-313. [PMID: 33976603 PMCID: PMC8092980 DOI: 10.1002/elsc.202000006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of acetic acid indicates an imbalance of the process due to a disturbed composition of the microorganisms. Hence, monitoring the acetic acid concentration is an important parameter to control the biogas process. Here, we describe the generation and validation of a fluorescence-based whole cell sensor for the detection of acetic acid based on the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Acetic acid induces the transcription of a subset of genes. The 5´-regulatory sequences (5´ URS) of these genes were cloned into a multicopy plasmid to drive the expression of a red fluorescent reporter gene. The 5´ URS of YGP1, encoding a cell wall-related glycoprotein, led to a 20-fold increase of fluorescence upon addition of 30 mM acetic acid to the media. We show that the system allows estimating the approximate concentration of acetic acid in condensation samples from a biogas plant. To avoid plasmid loss and increase the long-term stability of the sensor, we integrated the reporter construct into the yeast genome and tested the suitability of spores for long-term storage of sensor cells. Lowering the reporter gene's copy number resulted in a significant drop of the fluorescence, which can be compensated by applying a yeast pheromone-based signal amplification system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Hahne
- Institute of Genetics, Faculty of BiologyTechnische Universität DresdenDresdenGermany
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav CarusTechnische Universität DresdenDresdenGermany
| | - Gerhard Rödel
- Institute of Genetics, Faculty of BiologyTechnische Universität DresdenDresdenGermany
| | - Kai Ostermann
- Institute of Genetics, Faculty of BiologyTechnische Universität DresdenDresdenGermany
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3
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Cheng M, Yu L, Gao J, Lei G, Zhang Z. Isolating, identifying and evaluating of oil degradation strains for the air-assisted microbial enhanced oil recovery process. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0243976. [PMID: 33493159 PMCID: PMC7834137 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the inefficient reproduction of microorganisms in oxygen-deprived environments of the reservoir, the applications of microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) are restricted. To overcome this problem, a new type of air-assisted MEOR process was investigated. Three compounding oil degradation strains were screened using biochemical experiments. Their performances in bacterial suspensions with different amounts of dissolved oxygen were evaluated. Water flooding, microbial flooding and air-assisted microbial flooding core flow experiments were carried out. Carbon distribution curve of biodegraded oil with different oxygen concentration was determined by chromatographic analysis. The long-chain alkanes are degraded by microorganisms. A simulation model was established to take into account the change in oxygen concentration in the reservoir. The results showed that the optimal dissolved oxygen concentration for microbial growth was 4.5~5.5mg/L. The main oxygen consumption in the reservoir happened in the stationary and declining phases of the microbial growth systems. In order to reduce the oxygen concentration to a safe level, the minimum radius of oxygen consumption was found to be about 145m. These results demonstrate that the air-assisted MEOR process can overcome the shortcomings of traditional microbial flooding techniques. The findings of this study can help for better understanding of microbial enhanced oil recovery and improving the efficiency of microbial oil displacement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Cheng
- Institute of Chemical and Safety Engineering, Binzhou University, Binzhou, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Long Yu
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jianbo Gao
- Binzhou Industry and Information Bureau, Binzhou, China
| | - Guanglun Lei
- Institute of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zaiwang Zhang
- Institute of Chemical and Safety Engineering, Binzhou University, Binzhou, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
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4
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Martin-Yken H. Yeast-Based Biosensors: Current Applications and New Developments. BIOSENSORS 2020; 10:E51. [PMID: 32413968 PMCID: PMC7277604 DOI: 10.3390/bios10050051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Biosensors are regarded as a powerful tool to detect and monitor environmental contaminants, toxins, and, more generally, organic or chemical markers of potential threats to human health. They are basically composed of a sensor part made up of either live cells or biological active molecules coupled to a transducer/reporter technological element. Whole-cells biosensors may be based on animal tissues, bacteria, or eukaryotic microorganisms such as yeasts and microalgae. Although very resistant to adverse environmental conditions, yeasts can sense and respond to a wide variety of stimuli. As eukaryotes, they also constitute excellent cellular models to detect chemicals and organic contaminants that are harmful to animals. For these reasons, combined with their ease of culture and genetic modification, yeasts have been commonly used as biological elements of biosensors since the 1970s. This review aims first at giving a survey on the different types of yeast-based biosensors developed for the environmental and medical domains. We then present the technological developments currently undertaken by academic and corporate scientists to further drive yeasts biosensors into a new era where the biological element is optimized in a tailor-made fashion by in silico design and where the output signals can be recorded or followed on a smartphone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helene Martin-Yken
- Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE), UMR 792 Toulouse Biotechnology Institute (TBI), 31400 Toulouse, France; ; Tel.: +689-89-52-31-88
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Faa’a, 98702 Tahiti, French Polynesia
- Unite Mixte de Recherche n°241 Ecosystemes Insulaires et Oceaniens, Université de la Polynésie Française, Faa’a, 98702 Tahiti, French Polynesia
- Laboratoire de Recherche sur les Biotoxines Marines, Institut Louis Malardé, Papeete, 98713 Tahiti, French Polynesia
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5
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Applications and Advances in Bioelectronic Noses for Odour Sensing. SENSORS 2018; 18:s18010103. [PMID: 29301263 PMCID: PMC5795383 DOI: 10.3390/s18010103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
A bioelectronic nose, an intelligent chemical sensor array system coupled with bio-receptors to identify gases and vapours, resembles mammalian olfaction by which many vertebrates can sniff out volatile organic compounds (VOCs) sensitively and specifically even at very low concentrations. Olfaction is undertaken by the olfactory system, which detects odorants that are inhaled through the nose where they come into contact with the olfactory epithelium containing olfactory receptors (ORs). Because of its ability to mimic biological olfaction, a bio-inspired electronic nose has been used to detect a variety of important compounds in complex environments. Recently, biosensor systems have been introduced that combine nanoelectronic technology and olfactory receptors themselves as a source of capturing elements for biosensing. In this article, we will present the latest advances in bioelectronic nose technology mimicking the olfactory system, including biological recognition elements, emerging detection systems, production and immobilization of sensing elements on sensor surface, and applications of bioelectronic noses. Furthermore, current research trends and future challenges in this field will be discussed.
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6
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Synthetic biology for microbial heavy metal biosensors. Anal Bioanal Chem 2017; 410:1191-1203. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-017-0751-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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7
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Voitechovič E, Korepanov A, Kirsanov D, Jahatspanian I, Legin A. Bio-assisted potentiometric multisensor system for purity evaluation of recombinant protein A. Talanta 2016; 156-157:87-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2016.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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8
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Diuron in water: functional toxicity and intracellular detoxification patterns of active concentrations assayed in tandem by a yeast-based probe. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:3731-40. [PMID: 25837349 PMCID: PMC4410212 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120403731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A study on the acute and chronic effects of the herbicide diuron was carried out. The test, basing on a yeast cell probe, investigated the interference with cellular catabolism and possible self-detoxification capacity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Aerobic respiration was taken as the toxicological end-point. Percentage interference (%r) with cellular respiration was measured in water by increased dissolved O2 concentration (ppm) after exposure to different doses. Interference was calculated through the comparison of respiratory activity of exposed and non-exposed cells. Short-term and long-term (6 and 24 h respectively) exposures were also considered. The test for short-term exposure gave positive %r values except that for 10-6 M (11.11%, 11.76%, 13.33% and 0% for 10-10 M, 10-8 M, 10-7 M and 10-6 M respectively). In the case of long-term exposure the test showed positive %r values, but less effect than short-term exposure until 10-8 M and much higher at 10-6 M (7.41%, 8.82%, 11.76% and 6.06% for 10-10 M, 10-8 M, 10-7 M and 10-6 M respectively). The findings of aerobic respiration as toxicological end-point were in agreement with known mechanisms of toxicity and intracellular detoxification for both the doses and exposure times employed.
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Gutiérrez JC, Amaro F, Martín-González A. Heavy metal whole-cell biosensors using eukaryotic microorganisms: an updated critical review. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:48. [PMID: 25750637 PMCID: PMC4335268 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This review analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of using eukaryotic microorganisms to design whole-cell biosensors (WCBs) for monitoring environmental heavy metal pollution in soil or aquatic habitats. Basic considerations for designing a eukaryotic WCB are also shown. A comparative analysis of the promoter genes used to design WCBs is carried out, and the sensitivity and reproducibility of the main reporter genes used is also reviewed. Three main eukaryotic taxonomic groups are considered: yeasts, microalgae, and ciliated protozoa. Models that have been widely analyzed as potential WCBs are the Saccharomyces cerevisiae model among yeasts, the Tetrahymena thermophila model for ciliates and Chlamydomonas model for microalgae. The advantages and disadvantages of each microbial group are discussed, and a ranking of sensitivity to the same type of metal pollutant from reported eukaryotic WCBs is also shown. General conclusions and possible future developments of eukaryotic WCBs are reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C Gutiérrez
- Departamento de Microbiología-III, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense , Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Amaro
- Departamento de Microbiología-III, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense , Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Martín-González
- Departamento de Microbiología-III, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense , Madrid, Spain
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10
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Amaro F, Turkewitz AP, Martín-González A, Gutiérrez JC. Functional GFP-metallothionein fusion protein from Tetrahymena thermophila: a potential whole-cell biosensor for monitoring heavy metal pollution and a cell model to study metallothionein overproduction effects. Biometals 2014; 27:195-205. [PMID: 24430977 PMCID: PMC4707044 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-014-9704-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 12/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The significance of metal(oid)s as environmental pollutants has made them a priority in ecotoxicology, with the aim of minimizing exposure to animals or humans. Therefore, it is necessary to develop sensitive and inexpensive methods that can efficiently detect and monitor these pollutants in the environment. Conventional analytical techniques suffer from the disadvantages of high cost and complexity. Alternatively, prokaryotic or eukaryotic whole-cell biosensors (WCB) are one of the newest molecular tools employed in environmental monitoring that use the cell as an integrated reporter incorporating a reporter gene fused to a heavy metal responsive promoter. In the present paper, we report results from expressing, in the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila, constructs consisting of the reporter gfp gene fused to the complete MTT1 or MTT5 protein coding regions under the transcriptional control of the MTT1 metallothionein promoter, which plays a critical role in heavy metal stress in this ciliate. When exposed to Cd(2+), such cells overexpress both the GFP reporter transgene and the linked metallothionein gene. We report that, for the GFPMTT5 strain, this metallothionein overexpression results in marked resistance to cadmium toxicity (24 h LC50 ~15 μM of Cd(2+)), compared to wild type cells (24 h LC50 ~1.73 μM of Cd(2+)). These results provide the first experimental evidence that ciliate metallothioneins, like in other organisms, function to protect the cell against toxic metal ions. Because these strains may have novel advantages as WCBs, we have compared their properties to those of other previously reported Tetrahymena WCBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Amaro
- Departamento de Microbiología-III, Facultad de Biología, C/. José Antonio Novais 12, Universidad Complutense (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Aaron P. Turkewitz
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Cummings Life Science Center, 920 East 58th Street, Chicago, IL. 60637, USA
| | - Ana Martín-González
- Departamento de Microbiología-III, Facultad de Biología, C/. José Antonio Novais 12, Universidad Complutense (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Gutiérrez
- Departamento de Microbiología-III, Facultad de Biología, C/. José Antonio Novais 12, Universidad Complutense (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
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11
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Qian J, Li J, Fang D, Yu Y, Zhi J. A disposable biofilm-modified amperometric biosensor for the sensitive determination of pesticide biotoxicity in water. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra08468c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel, disposable and sensitive whole cells biosensor based on permeabilizedS. cerevisiaehas been fabricated for the biotoxicity assessment of pesticides in wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Qian
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials
- Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Beijing 100190, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Chemistry
| | - Jiuming Li
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials
- Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Beijing 100190, China
| | - Deyu Fang
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials
- Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yuan Yu
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials
- Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jinfang Zhi
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials
- Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Beijing 100190, China
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12
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Arip MNM, Heng LY, Ahmad M, Ujang S. A cell-based potentiometric biosensor using the fungus Lentinus sajor-caju for permethrin determination in treated wood. Talanta 2013; 116:776-81. [PMID: 24148473 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2013.07.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2013] [Revised: 07/25/2013] [Accepted: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The characteristics of a potentiometric biosensor for the determination of permethrin in treated wood based on immobilised cells of the fungus Lentinus sajor-caju on a potentiometric transducer are reported this paper. The potentiometric biosensor was prepared by immobilisation of the fungus in alginate gel deposited on a pH-sensitive transducer employing a photocurable acrylic matrix. The biosensor gave a good response in detecting permethrin over the range of 1.0-100.0 µM. The slope of the calibration curve was 56.10 mV/decade with detection limit of 1.00 µM. The relative standard deviation for the sensor reproducibility was 4.86%. The response time of the sensor was 5 min at optimum pH 8.0 with 1.00 mg/electrode of fungus L. sajor-caju. The permethrin biosensor performance was compared with the conventional method for permethrin analysis using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the analytical results agreed well with the HPLC method (at 95% confidence limit). There was no interference from commonly used organophosphorus pesticides such as diazinon, parathion, paraoxon, and methyl parathion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Nasir Mat Arip
- Forest Products Division, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Selangor DE 52109, Malaysia
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13
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Xu T, Close DM, Sayler GS, Ripp S. Genetically modified whole-cell bioreporters for environmental assessment. ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS 2013; 28:125-141. [PMID: 26594130 PMCID: PMC4649933 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2012.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Living whole-cell bioreporters serve as environmental biosentinels that survey their ecosystems for harmful pollutants and chemical toxicants, and in the process act as human and other higher animal proxies to pre-alert for unfavorable, damaging, or toxic conditions. Endowed with bioluminescent, fluorescent, or colorimetric signaling elements, bioreporters can provide a fast, easily measured link to chemical contaminant presence, bioavailability, and toxicity relative to a living system. Though well tested in the confines of the laboratory, real-world applications of bioreporters are limited. In this review, we will consider bioreporter technologies that have evolved from the laboratory towards true environmental applications, and discuss their merits as well as crucial advancements that still require adoption for more widespread utilization. Although the vast majority of environmental monitoring strategies rely upon bioreporters constructed from bacteria, we will also examine environmental biosensing through the use of less conventional eukaryotic-based bioreporters, whose chemical signaling capacity facilitates a more human-relevant link to toxicity and health-related consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Xu
- The University of Tennessee Center for Environmental Biotechnology, 676 Dabney Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Dan M. Close
- The Joint Institute for Biological Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, PO Box 2008, MS6342 Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Gary S. Sayler
- The University of Tennessee Center for Environmental Biotechnology, 676 Dabney Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
- The Joint Institute for Biological Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, PO Box 2008, MS6342 Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Steven Ripp
- The University of Tennessee Center for Environmental Biotechnology, 676 Dabney Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
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14
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Arlyapov V, Kamanin S, Ponamoreva O, Reshetilov A. Biosensor analyzer for BOD index express control on the basis of the yeast microorganisms Candida maltosa, Candida blankii, and Debaryomyces hansenii. Enzyme Microb Technol 2012; 50:215-20. [PMID: 22418260 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2012.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2011] [Revised: 11/22/2011] [Accepted: 01/11/2012] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The parameters of biosensors based on the yeast strains Candida maltosa VKM Y-2359, Candida blankii VKM Y-2675, and Debaryomyces hansenii VKM Y-2482 for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) detection are compared. The catalytic activity of the strains was analyzed in relation to the growth phase. The possibility of using D. hansenii as a basis for receptor element of a biosensor for BOD detection in municipal and biotechnological wastewaters was shown.
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15
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Amaro F, Turkewitz AP, Martín-González A, Gutiérrez JC. Whole-cell biosensors for detection of heavy metal ions in environmental samples based on metallothionein promoters from Tetrahymena thermophila. Microb Biotechnol 2011; 4:513-22. [PMID: 21366892 PMCID: PMC3815263 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-7915.2011.00252.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Heavy metals are among the most serious pollutants, and thus there is a need to develop sensitive and rapid biomonitoring methods for heavy metals in the environment. Critical parameters such as bioavailability, toxicity and genotoxicity cannot be tested using chemical analysis, but only can be assayed using living cells. A whole‐cell biosensor uses the whole cell as a single reporter incorporating both bioreceptor and transducer elements. In the present paper, we report results with two gene constructs using the Tetrahymena thermophila MTT1 and MTT5 metallothionein promoters linked with the eukaryotic luciferase gene as a reporter. This is the first report of a ciliated protozoan used as a heavy metal whole‐cell biosensor. T. thermophila transformed strains were created as heavy metal whole‐cell biosensors, and turn on bioassays were designed to detect, in about 2 h, the bioavailable heavy metals in polluted soil or aquatic samples. Validation of these whole‐cell biosensors was carried out using both artificial and natural samples, including methods for detecting false positives and negatives. Comparison with other published cell biosensors indicates that the Tetrahymena metallothionein promoter‐based biosensors appear to be the most sensitive eukaryotic metal biosensors and compare favourably with some prokaryotic biosensors as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Amaro
- Departamento de Microbiología-III, Facultad de Biología, C/. José Antonio Novais 2, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
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16
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Shkil H, Schulte A, Guschin DA, Schuhmann W. Electron Transfer between Genetically Modified Hansenula polymorpha Yeast Cells and Electrode Surfaces via Os-complex modified Redox Polymers. Chemphyschem 2011; 12:806-13. [DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201000889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2010] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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17
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Ponomareva ON, Arlyapov VA, Alferov VA, Reshetilov AN. Microbial biosensors for detection of biological oxygen demand (a Review). APPL BIOCHEM MICRO+ 2011. [DOI: 10.1134/s0003683811010108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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18
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Ben-Yoav H, Melamed S, Freeman A, Shacham-Diamand Y, Belkin S. Whole-cell biochips for bio-sensing: integration of live cells and inanimate surfaces. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2010; 31:337-53. [PMID: 21190513 DOI: 10.3109/07388551.2010.532767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in the convergence of the biological, chemical, physical, and engineering sciences have opened new avenues of research into the interfacing of diverse biological moieties with inanimate platforms. A main aspect of this field, the integration of live cells with micro-machined platforms for high throughput and bio-sensing applications, is the subject of the present review. These unique hybrid systems are configured in a manner that ensures positioning of the cells in designated patterns, and enables cellular viability maintenance, and monitoring of cellular functionality. Here we review both animate and inanimate surface properties and how they affect cellular attachment, describe relevant modifications of both types of surfaces, list technologies for platform engineering and for cell deposition in the desired configurations, and discuss the influence of various deposition and immobilization methods on the viability and performance of the immobilized cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadar Ben-Yoav
- Department of Physical Electronics, School of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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19
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Kaiser C, Uhlig S, Gerlach T, Körner M, Simon K, Kunath K, Florschütz K, Baronian K, Kunze G. Evaluation and validation of a novel Arxula adeninivorans estrogen screen (nAES) assay and its application in analysis of wastewater, seawater, brackish water and urine. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2010; 408:6017-26. [PMID: 20869755 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.08.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2010] [Revised: 08/25/2010] [Accepted: 08/26/2010] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
A novel Arxula adeninivorans yeast estrogen screen (nAES) assay has been developed for detection of estrogenic activity in various liquid samples such as wastewater, seawater, brackish water and swine urine. Two bio-components were engineered to co-express the human estrogen receptor α (hERα) and an inducible reporter gene; either the non-conventional phytase gene (phyK, derived from Klebsiella sp. ASR1) or the non-conventional tannase gene (ATAN1, derived from Arxula). Both reporters were put under the control of an Arxula derived glucoamylase (GAA) promoter, which was modified by the insertion of two estrogen-responsive elements (EREs). The Arxula transformation/expression platform Xplor® 2, which lacks resistance markers and E. coli elements, was used to select stable mitotic transformants. They were then analyzed for robustness and suitability as the bio-component for the nAES assay. Two types of the nAES assay based on the reporter proteins phytase and tannase (nAES-P, nAES-T) were used in this work. The nAES-P type is more suitable for the analysis of seawater, brackish water and urine whereas the nAES-T type exhibited higher robustness to NaCl. Both assay types have similar characteristics for the determination of estrogen in sewage and urine samples e.g. 6-25 h assay period with detection and determination limits and EC(50) values for 17β-estradiol of 2.8 ng L(-1), 5.9 ng L(-1), 33.2 ng L(-1) (nAES-P) and 3.1 ng L(-1), 6.7 ng L(-1) and 39.4 ng L(-1) (nAES-T). Substrate specificity and analytical measurement range (AMR) for both assay types are also similar. These characteristics show that the nAES assay based on non-conventional salt tolerant yeast is applicable for a high throughput estrogen analysis in the environmental and regulatory control sectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Kaiser
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Corrensstr. 3, D-06466 Gatersleben, Germany
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20
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Rapid and direct magnetization of GFP-reporter yeast for micro-screening systems. Biosens Bioelectron 2010; 25:1816-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2009.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2009] [Revised: 11/12/2009] [Accepted: 11/17/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Shkil H, Stoica L, Dmytruk K, Smutok O, Gonchar M, Sibirny A, Schuhmann W. Bioelectrochemical detection of L-lactate respiration using genetically modified Hansenula polymorpha yeast cells overexpressing flavocytochrome b2. Bioelectrochemistry 2009; 76:175-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2009.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2009] [Revised: 04/13/2009] [Accepted: 04/16/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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22
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García-Alonso J, Greenway GM, Hardege JD, Haswell SJ. A prototype microfluidic chip using fluorescent yeast for detection of toxic compounds. Biosens Bioelectron 2008; 24:1508-11. [PMID: 18805688 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2008.07.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2008] [Revised: 07/25/2008] [Accepted: 07/29/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
A microfluidic chip has been developed to enable the screening of chemicals for environmental toxicity. The microfluidic approach offers several advantages over macro-scale systems for toxicity screening, including low cost and flexibility in design. This design flexibility means the chips can be produced with multiple channels or chambers which can be used to screen for different toxic compounds, or the same toxicant at different concentrations. Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing fluorescent markers are ideal candidates for the microfluidic screening system as fluorescence is emitted without the need of additional reagents. Microfluidic chips containing eight multi-parallel channels have been developed to retain yeast within the chip and allow exposure of them to toxic compounds. The recombinant yeast used was GreenScreentrade mark which expresses green fluorescent proteins when is exposed to genotoxins. After exposure of the yeast to target compounds, the fluorescence emission was detected using an inverted microscope. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons of the fluorescent emission were performed. Results indicated that fluorescent intensity per area significantly increases upon exposure to methyl-methanesulfonate, a well known genotoxic compound. The microfluidic approach reported here is an excellent tool for cell-based screening and detection of different toxicities. The device has the potential for use by industrial manufacturers to detect and reduce the production and discharge of toxic compounds, as well as to characterise already polluted environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier García-Alonso
- Faculty of Science, The University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, England, United Kingdom
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23
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Keenan PO, Knight AW, Billinton N, Cahill PA, Dalrymple IM, Hawkyard CJ, Stratton-Campbell D, Walmsley RM. Clear and present danger? The use of a yeast biosensor to monitor changes in the toxicity of industrial effluents subjected to oxidative colour removal treatments. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 9:1394-401. [PMID: 18049779 DOI: 10.1039/b710406e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Discharges of coloured effluents into surface waters provide conspicuous evidence of the impact of industry on the environment. The textile industry is an obvious candidate for sources of such discharges. Conventional treatment methods appear to alleviate this situation by removing colour, however the affect on toxicity is less obvious. The objective of this study was to examine the changes in effluent toxicity during the course of two alternative wastewater treatment methods, ozonation and electrochemical oxidation, using a novel toxicity biosensor, GreenScreen EM. The biosensor is capable of measuring both general acute toxicity (cytotoxicity), and more specifically genotoxicity, that is damage to a cell's DNA structure, replication or distribution, caused by substances that may be mutagenic and/or carcinogenic. The biosensor utilises a modified strain of the brewers yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, incorporating a gene encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) linked to the inducible promoter of the DNA damage responsive RAD54 gene. Upon exposure to a genotoxin, the production of GFP is up-regulated in parallel with RAD54, and the resulting cellular fluorescence provides a measure of genotoxicity. Acute toxicity is simultaneously determined by monitoring relative total growth of the cell culture during incubation. The results presented in this paper show that a reduction in colouration does not necessarily correspond to a reduction in effluent toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick O Keenan
- Gentronix Limited, CTF Building, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester, UK M13 9NT.
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24
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Baronian KHR. The use of yeast and moulds as sensing elements in biosensors. Biosens Bioelectron 2004; 19:953-62. [PMID: 15018949 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2003.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2003] [Revised: 09/21/2003] [Accepted: 09/24/2003] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Whole cell biosensors are able to provide information that sensors based on single and multiple types of molecules are unable to do. For example, broad-spectrum catabolite analysis, cell toxicity and genotoxicity are best detected in the context of a functioning cell. Most whole cell sensors have used bacterial cells as the sensing element. Fungal cells, however, can provide all of the advantages bacterial cells offer but in addition they can provide information that is more relevant to other eukaryote organisms. These cells are easy to cultivate, manipulate for sensor configurations and are amenable to a wide range of transducer methodologies. An overview of the use of yeast and filamentous fungi as the sensing element of some biosensors is presented here.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H R Baronian
- School of Applied Science, Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 540, Christchurch, New Zealand.
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