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Cabrera MÁ, Márquez SL, Pérez-Donoso JM. New insights into xenobiotic tolerance of Antarctic bacteria: transcriptomic analysis of Pseudomonas sp. TNT3 during 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene biotransformation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:17256-17274. [PMID: 38337121 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32298-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The xenobiotic 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is a highly persistent environmental contaminant, whose biotransformation by microorganisms has attracted renewed attention. In previous research, we reported the discovery of Pseudomonas sp. TNT3, the first described Antarctic bacterium with the ability to biotransform TNT. Furthermore, through genomic analysis, we identified distinctive features in this isolate associated with the biotransformation of TNT and other xenobiotics. However, the metabolic pathways and genes active during TNT exposure in this bacterium remained unexplored. In the present transcriptomic study, we used RNA-sequencing to investigate gene expression changes in Pseudomonas sp. TNT3 exposed to 100 mg/L of TNT. The results showed differential expression of 194 genes (54 upregulated and 140 downregulated), mostly encoding hypothetical proteins. The most highly upregulated gene (> 1000-fold) encoded an azoreductase enzyme not previously described. Other significantly upregulated genes were associated with (nitro)aromatics detoxification, oxidative, thiol-specific, and nitrosative stress responses, and (nitro)aromatic xenobiotic tolerance via efflux pumps. Most of the downregulated genes were involved in the electron transport chain, pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-related alcohol oxidation, and motility. These findings highlight a complex cellular response to TNT exposure, with the azoreductase enzyme likely playing a crucial role in TNT biotransformation. Our study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of TNT biotransformation and aids in developing effective TNT bioremediation strategies. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first transcriptomic response analysis of an Antarctic bacterium during TNT biotransformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ma Ángeles Cabrera
- Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology (CBIB), Facultad de Ciencias de La Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Av. República 330, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sebastián L Márquez
- Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology (CBIB), Facultad de Ciencias de La Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Av. República 330, Santiago, Chile
- Fundación Científica y Cultural Biociencia, José Domingo Cañas 2280, Ñuñoa, Santiago, Chile
| | - José M Pérez-Donoso
- Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology (CBIB), Facultad de Ciencias de La Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Av. República 330, Santiago, Chile.
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2
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Li M, Lv S, Yang R, Chu X, Wang X, Wang Z, Peng L, Yang J. Development of lycopene-based whole-cell biosensors for the visual detection of trace explosives and heavy metals. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1283:341934. [PMID: 37977799 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Residual explosives in conflicting zones have caused irreversible damage to human safety and the environment. Whole-cell biosensors can to detect remnants of buried explosives, such as 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT), a stable and highly volatile compound in explosives. However, all the reported whole-cell biosensors utilize fluorescence or luminescence as the biological markers, making their detection difficult in real minefields. Here, we presented a lycopene-based whole-cell biosensor in Escherichia coli to output visible signals in response to DNT, which can help in the visual detection of buried explosives. To construct the whole-cell biosensor, the DNT-responsive promoter yqjF was used as the sensing element, and the lycopene synthetic gene cassette crtEBI was served as the reporting element. Then, the metabolic flux for lycopene production was enhanced to improve the output signal of the whole-cell biosensor, and a terminator was utilized to reduce the background interference. The optimized biosensor LSZ05 could perceive at least 1 mg/L DNT. The DNT-specificity and robust performance of the biosensor under different environmental factors were confirmed. Our results showed that converting the biosensor into a lyophilized powder was an effective storage method. The biosensor LSZ05 could effectively detect DNT in two kinds of soil samples. The lycopene-based whole-cell biosensor could also be used to visually detect heavy metals. Our findings laid the foundation for visually detecting buried explosives in minefields, which was a valuable supplement to the reported biosensors. The methods used for optimizing the lycopene-based whole-cell biosensor, including the improvement of the output signal and reduction of background interference, were quite effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijie Li
- Energy-rich Compound Production By Photosynthetic Carbon Fixation Research Center, Shandong Key Lab of Applied Mycology, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changchen Road, Qingdao, 266109, PR China.
| | - Shuzhe Lv
- Energy-rich Compound Production By Photosynthetic Carbon Fixation Research Center, Shandong Key Lab of Applied Mycology, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changchen Road, Qingdao, 266109, PR China.
| | - Rumeng Yang
- Energy-rich Compound Production By Photosynthetic Carbon Fixation Research Center, Shandong Key Lab of Applied Mycology, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changchen Road, Qingdao, 266109, PR China.
| | - Xiaohan Chu
- Energy-rich Compound Production By Photosynthetic Carbon Fixation Research Center, Shandong Key Lab of Applied Mycology, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changchen Road, Qingdao, 266109, PR China.
| | - Xu Wang
- Energy-rich Compound Production By Photosynthetic Carbon Fixation Research Center, Shandong Key Lab of Applied Mycology, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changchen Road, Qingdao, 266109, PR China.
| | - Ziyu Wang
- Energy-rich Compound Production By Photosynthetic Carbon Fixation Research Center, Shandong Key Lab of Applied Mycology, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changchen Road, Qingdao, 266109, PR China.
| | - Limin Peng
- Shandong TV University, Jinan, 250014, PR China.
| | - Jianming Yang
- Energy-rich Compound Production By Photosynthetic Carbon Fixation Research Center, Shandong Key Lab of Applied Mycology, College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, No. 700 Changchen Road, Qingdao, 266109, PR China.
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3
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Mir TUG, Wani AK, Akhtar N, Katoch V, Shukla S, Kadam US, Hong JC. Advancing biological investigations using portable sensors for detection of sensitive samples. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22679. [PMID: 38089995 PMCID: PMC10711145 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Portable biosensors are emerged as powerful diagnostic tools for analyzing intricately complex biological samples. These biosensors offer sensitive detection capabilities by utilizing biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, microbes or microbial products, antibodies, and enzymes. Their speed, accuracy, stability, specificity, and low cost make them indispensable in forensic investigations and criminal cases. Notably, portable biosensors have been developed to rapidly detect toxins, poisons, body fluids, and explosives; they have proven invaluable in forensic examinations of suspected samples, generating efficient results that enable effective and fair trials. One of the key advantages of portable biosensors is their ability to provide sensitive and non-destructive detection of forensic samples without requiring extensive sample preparation, thereby reducing the possibility of false results. This comprehensive review provides an overview of the current advancements in portable biosensors for the detection of sensitive materials, highlighting their significance in advancing investigations and enhancing sensitive sample detection capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahir ul Gani Mir
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, 144411, India
- State Forensic Science Laboratory, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190001, India
| | - Atif Khurshid Wani
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, 144411, India
| | - Nahid Akhtar
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, 144411, India
| | - Vaidehi Katoch
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, 144411, India
| | - Saurabh Shukla
- School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, 144411, India
| | - Ulhas Sopanrao Kadam
- Division of Life Science and Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Gyeongnam, 52828, South Korea
| | - Jong Chan Hong
- Division of Life Science and Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Gyeongnam, 52828, South Korea
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
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4
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Chen SY, Zhang Y, Li R, Wang B, Ye BC. De Novo Design of the ArsR Regulated P ars Promoter Enables a Highly Sensitive Whole-Cell Biosensor for Arsenic Contamination. Anal Chem 2022; 94:7210-7218. [PMID: 35537205 PMCID: PMC9134189 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Whole-cell biosensors for arsenic contamination are typically designed based on natural bacterial sensing systems, which are often limited by their poor performance for precisely tuning the genetic response to environmental stimuli. Promoter design remains one of the most important approaches to address such issues. Here, we use the arsenic-responsive ArsR-Pars regulation system from Escherichia coli MG1655 as the sensing element and coupled gfp or lacZ as the reporter gene to construct the genetic circuit for characterizing the refactored promoters. We first analyzed the ArsR binding site and a library of RNA polymerase binding sites to mine potential promoter sequences. A set of tightly regulated Pars promoters by ArsR was designed by placing the ArsR binding sites into the promoter's core region, and a novel promoter with maximal repression efficiency and optimal fold change was obtained. The fluorescence sensor PlacV-ParsOC2 constructed with the optimized ParsOC2 promoter showed a fold change of up to 63.80-fold (with green fluorescence visible to the naked eye) at 9.38 ppb arsenic, and the limit of detection was as low as 0.24 ppb. Further, the optimized colorimetric sensor PlacV-ParsOC2-lacZ with a linear response between 0 and 5 ppb was used to perform colorimetric reactions in 24-well plates combined with a smartphone application for the quantification of the arsenic level in groundwater. This study offers a new approach to improve the performance of bacterial sensing promoters and will facilitate the on-site application of arsenic whole-cell biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Yan Chen
- School
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi
University, Shihezi 832003, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- School
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi
University, Shihezi 832003, China
| | - Renjie Li
- School
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi
University, Shihezi 832003, China
| | - Baojun Wang
- College
of Chemical and Biological Engineering & ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific
and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang
University, Hangzhou 311200, China,Research
Center of Biological Computation, Zhejiang
Laboratory, Hangzhou 311100, China,Centre
for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FF, United Kingdom,
| | - Bang-Ce Ye
- School
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi
University, Shihezi 832003, China,Institute
of Engineering Biology and Health, Collaborative Innovation Center
of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, Zhejiang, China,Lab of Biosystem
and Microanalysis, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China,. Tel/Fax: 0086-21-64252094
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5
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Zhang Y, Zou ZP, Chen SY, Wei WP, Zhou Y, Ye BC. Design and optimization of E. coli artificial genetic circuits for detection of explosive composition 2,4-dinitrotoluene. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 207:114205. [PMID: 35339074 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The detection of mine-based explosives poses a serious threat to the lives of deminers, and carcinogenic residues may cause severe environmental pollution. Whole-cell biosensors that can detect on-site in dangerous or inaccessible environments have great potential to replace conventional methods. Synthetic biology based on engineering modularity serves as a new tool that could be used to engineer microbes to acquire desired functions through artificial design and precise regulation. In this study, we designed artificial genetic circuits in Escherichia coli MG1655 by reconstructing the transcription factor YhaJ-based system to detect explosive composition 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT). These genetic circuits were optimized at the transcriptional, translational, and post-translational levels. The binding affinity of the transcription factor YhaJ with inducer 2,4-DNT metabolites was enhanced via directed evolution, and several activator binding sites were inserted in sensing yqjF promoter (PyqjF) to further improve the output level. The optimized biosensor PyqjF×2-TEV-(mYhaJ + GFP)-Ssr had a maximum induction ratio of 189 with green fluorescent signal output, and it could perceive at least 1 μg/mL 2,4-DNT. Its effective and robust performance was verified in different water samples. Our results demonstrate the use of synthetic biology tools to systematically optimize the performance of sensors for 2,4-DNT detection, that lay the foundation for practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Laboratory of Biosystems and Microanalysis, Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, China
| | - Zhen-Ping Zou
- Laboratory of Biosystems and Microanalysis, Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Sheng-Yan Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, China
| | - Wen-Ping Wei
- Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Laboratory of Biosystems and Microanalysis, Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Bang-Ce Ye
- Laboratory of Biosystems and Microanalysis, Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, China; Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, Zhejiang, China.
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6
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Elad T, Shemer B, Simanowitz S, Kabessa Y, Mizrachi Y, Gold A, Shpigel E, Agranat AJ, Belkin S. Enhancing DNT Detection by a Bacterial Bioreporter: Directed Evolution of the Transcriptional Activator YhaJ. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:821835. [PMID: 35237579 PMCID: PMC8882911 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.821835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Detection of buried landmines is a dangerous and complicated task that consumes large financial resources and poses significant risks to the personnel involved. A potential alternative to conventional detection methodologies is the use of microbial bioreporters, capable of emitting an optical signal upon exposure to explosives, thus revealing to a remote detector the location of buried explosive devices. We have previously reported the design, construction, and optimization of an Escherichia coli-based bioreporter for the detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and its accompanying impurity 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT). Here we describe the further enhancement of this bioreporter by the directed evolution of YhaJ, the transcriptional activator of the yqjF gene promoter, the sensing element of the bioreporter's molecular circuit. This process resulted in a 37-fold reduction of the detection threshold, as well as significant enhancements to signal intensity and response time, rendering this sensor strain more suitable for detecting the minute concentrations of DNT in the soil above buried landmines. The capability of this enhanced bioreporter to detect DNT buried in sand is demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Elad
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Benjamin Shemer
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shilat Simanowitz
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yossef Kabessa
- Department of Applied Physics and the Brojde Center for Innovative Engineering and Computer Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yosef Mizrachi
- Department of Applied Physics and the Brojde Center for Innovative Engineering and Computer Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Azriel Gold
- Department of Applied Physics and the Brojde Center for Innovative Engineering and Computer Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Etai Shpigel
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Aharon J. Agranat
- Department of Applied Physics and the Brojde Center for Innovative Engineering and Computer Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shimshon Belkin
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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7
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Lifshitz A, Shemer B, Hazan C, Shpigel E, Belkin S. A bacterial bioreporter for the detection of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX). Anal Bioanal Chem 2021; 414:5329-5336. [PMID: 34622323 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-021-03685-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
We report the design, construction, and testing of Escherichia coli-based bioluminescent bioreporters for the detection of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX), one of the most prevalent military-grade explosives in use today. These sensor strains are based on a fusion between the promoter of either the hmp (nitric oxide dioxygenase) or the hcp (a high-affinity nitric oxide reductase) E. coli gene, to the microbial bioluminescence luxCDABEG gene cassette. Signal intensity was enhanced in ∆hmp and ∆hcp mutants, and detection sensitivity was improved when the two gene promoters were cloned in tandem. The Photobacterium leiognathi luxCDABEG reporter genes were superior to those of Aliivibrio fischeri in terms of signal intensity, but in most cases inferior in terms of detection sensitivity, due to a higher background signal. Both sensor strains were also induced by additional nitro-organic explosives, as well as by nitrate salts. Sensitive detection of RDX in a solid matrix (either LB agar or sand) was also demonstrated, with the bioreporters encapsulated in 1.5-mm calcium alginate beads. Lowest RDX concentration detected in sand was 1.67 mg/kg sand. The bioreporter strains described herein may serve as a basis for a standoff detection technology of RDX-based explosive devices, including buried landmines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Lifshitz
- Department of Plant & Environmental Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 9190401, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Benjamin Shemer
- Department of Plant & Environmental Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 9190401, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Carina Hazan
- Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 9190401, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Etai Shpigel
- Department of Plant & Environmental Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 9190401, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shimshon Belkin
- Department of Plant & Environmental Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 9190401, Jerusalem, Israel.
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8
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Bacterial bioreporters for the detection of trace explosives: performance enhancement by DNA shuffling and random mutagenesis. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:4329-4337. [PMID: 33942130 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11290-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Landmines and other explosive remnants of war pose a global humanitarian problem that claims numerous casualties long after the conflict has ended. As there are no acceptable methodologies for the remote discovery of such devices, current detection practices still require the risky presence of personnel in the minefield. We have recently described bacterial sensor strains capable of reporting the existence of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) vapors in the soil above 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT)-based landmines, by generating a bioluminescent or a fluorescent signal. This may allow the identification of landmine location by remote imaging of an area over which the bacteria have been spread. In the study reported herein, we have improved the DNT-detection capabilities of these sensor strains by combining two DNT-responsive Escherichia coli gene promoters, yqjF and azoR, and subjecting them to three cycles of random mutagenesis by error-prone PCR, combined with segmentation and rearrangement ("DNA shuffling"). The activity of selected modified promoters was evaluated with the Aliivibrio fischeri and Photobacterium leiognathi luxCDABEG gene cassettes as the bioluminescent reporters, exhibiting a ten-fold background reduction that has led to a three-fold decrease in detection threshold. Signal intensity was further enhanced by modifying the ribosomal binding site of the yqjF gene promoter. The superior DNT detection capabilities on a solid matrix by the improved sensor strain were demonstrated. KEY POINTS: • Performance of microbial sensor strains for buried explosives was molecularly enhanced. • Manipulations included random mutagenesis, "DNA shuffling," and RBS reprogramming. • The re-engineered constructs exhibited superior detection of trace explosives.
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9
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Duprey A, Groisman EA. FEDS: a Novel Fluorescence-Based High-Throughput Method for Measuring DNA Supercoiling In Vivo. mBio 2020; 11:e01053-20. [PMID: 32723920 PMCID: PMC7387798 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01053-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA supercoiling (DS) is essential for life because it controls critical processes, including transcription, replication, and recombination. Current methods to measure DNA supercoiling in vivo are laborious and unable to examine single cells. Here, we report a method for high-throughput measurement of bacterial DNA supercoiling in vivoFluorescent evaluation of DNA supercoiling (FEDS) utilizes a plasmid harboring the gene for a green fluorescent protein transcribed by a discovered promoter that responds exclusively to DNA supercoiling and the gene for a red fluorescent protein transcribed by a constitutive promoter as the internal standard. Using FEDS, we uncovered single-cell heterogeneity in DNA supercoiling and established that, surprisingly, population-level decreases in DNA supercoiling result from a low-mean/high-variance DNA supercoiling subpopulation rather than from a homogeneous shift in supercoiling of the whole population. In addition, we identified a regulatory loop in which a gene that decreases DNA supercoiling is transcriptionally repressed when DNA supercoiling increases.IMPORTANCE DNA represents the chemical support of genetic information in all forms of life. In addition to its linear sequence of nucleotides, it bears critical information in its structure. This information, called DNA supercoiling, is central to all fundamental DNA processes, such as transcription and replication, and defines cellular physiology. Unlike reading of a nucleotide sequence, DNA supercoiling determinations have been laborious. We have now developed a method for rapid measurement of DNA supercoiling and established its utility by identifying a novel regulator of DNA supercoiling in the bacterium Salmonella enterica as well as behaviors that could not have been discovered with current methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Duprey
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Eduardo A Groisman
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale Microbial Sciences Institute, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
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10
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Shemer B, Shpigel E, Glozman A, Yagur-Kroll S, Kabessa Y, Agranat AJ, Belkin S. Genome-wide gene-deletion screening identifies mutations that significantly enhance explosives vapor detection by a microbial sensor. N Biotechnol 2020; 59:65-73. [PMID: 32622861 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2020.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Genetically engineered microbial biosensors, capable of detecting traces of explosives residues above buried military ordnance and emitting an optical signal in response, may potentially serve for the standoff detection of buried landmines. A promising candidate for such an application is a previously reported Escherichia coli-based reporter strain that employs the yqjF gene promoter as its sensing element; however, for this sensor to be able to detect actual landmines reliably, it was necessary for its detection sensitivity and signal intensity to be enhanced. In this study, a high-throughput approach was employed to screen the effects of individual gene deletions on yqjF activation by 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT). Several genes were identified, the deletion of which elicited a significant enhancement of yqjF induction by DNT. The most promising of these mutations were introduced into the sensor strain, individually or in pairs, yielding a considerable increase in signal intensity and a lowering of the detection threshold. A strain harboring two of the identified mutations, ygdD and eutE, appears to be the most sensitive microbial biosensor currently described for the detection of traces of landmine explosives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Shemer
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Etai Shpigel
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Anat Glozman
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sharon Yagur-Kroll
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yosssef Kabessa
- Department of Applied Physics and the Brojde Center for Innovative Engineering and Computer Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Aharon J Agranat
- Department of Applied Physics and the Brojde Center for Innovative Engineering and Computer Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shimshon Belkin
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
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11
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Liu X, Silverman AD, Alam KK, Iverson E, Lucks JB, Jewett MC, Raman S. Design of a Transcriptional Biosensor for the Portable, On-Demand Detection of Cyanuric Acid. ACS Synth Biol 2020; 9:84-94. [PMID: 31825601 PMCID: PMC7372534 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.9b00348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Rapid molecular biosensing is an emerging application area for synthetic biology. Here, we engineer a portable biosensor for cyanuric acid (CYA), an analyte of interest for human and environmental health, using a LysR-type transcription regulator (LTTR) from Pseudomonas within the context of Escherichia coli gene expression machinery. To overcome cross-host portability challenges of LTTRs, we rationally engineered hybrid Pseudomonas-E. coli promoters by integrating DNA elements required for transcriptional activity and ligand-dependent regulation from both hosts, which enabled E. coli to function as a whole-cell biosensor for CYA. To alleviate challenges of whole-cell biosensing, we adapted these promoter designs to function within a freeze-dried E. coli cell-free system to sense CYA. This portable, on-demand system robustly detects CYA within an hour from laboratory and real-world samples and works with both fluorescent and colorimetric reporters. This work elucidates general principles to facilitate the engineering of a wider array of LTTR-based environmental sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyang Liu
- Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Adam D. Silverman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Water Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Khalid K. Alam
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Water Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Erik Iverson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Julius B. Lucks
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Water Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Michael C. Jewett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Srivatsan Raman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
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12
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Liu R, Li Z, Huang Z, Li K, Lv Y. Biosensors for explosives: State of art and future trends. Trends Analyt Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2019.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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13
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Harbaugh SV, Goodson MS, Dillon K, Zabarnick S, Kelley-Loughnane N. Riboswitch-Based Reversible Dual Color Sensor. ACS Synth Biol 2017; 6:766-781. [PMID: 28121427 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.6b00199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Riboswitches are RNA-based "sensors" that utilize chemically induced structural changes in the 5'-untranslated region of mRNA to regulate expression of downstream genes. Coupling a specific riboswitch with a reporter gene system translates chemical detection by the cell into a quantifiable reporter protein signal. For the majority of reporter gene systems, the readout signal is only expressed in the presence of the target analyte. This makes it difficult to determine the viability and localization of the uninduced biosensor when it is used for "real-word" applications. To address this problem, we developed a dual-color reporter comprising elements of the E. coli fimbriae phase variation system: recombinase FimE controlled by a synthetic riboswitch and an invertible DNA segment (fimS) containing a constitutively active promoter placed between two fluorescent protein genes. Without an analyte, the fluorescent reporter constitutively expressed green fluorescent protein (GFPa1). Addition of the analyte initiated translation of fimE causing unidirectional inversion of the fimS segment and constitutive expression of red fluorescent protein (mKate2). Thus, the sensor is always fluorescent, but its color is determined by detection of a specific analyte. We demonstrate that the recombinase-based dual-color reporter can be successfully applied to monitor the activation of a theophylline synthetic riboswitch that was used as our model system. To show the feasibility of the FimE recombinase-based system to serve as a reporter for monitoring activation of multiple synthetic riboswitches and, therefore, expand the applicability of the system, we tested a number of previously developed synthetic riboswitches responsive to different analytes. We show that the dual-color reporter system can be successfully used to monitor activation of M6 and M6″ riboswitches responsive to ammeline and pyrimido[4,5-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diamine, respectively, and a 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene-responsive riboswitch developed in this study. We also demonstrate that the system can be reversed by HbiF recombinase-mediated fimS inversion to the initial state of the fluorescent reporter, creating a resettable and reusable cell-based sensor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana V. Harbaugh
- 711th
Human Performance Wing, Airman Systems Directorate, Air Force Research
Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, United States
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20817, United States
| | - Michael S. Goodson
- 711th
Human Performance Wing, Airman Systems Directorate, Air Force Research
Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, United States
- UES, Inc., 4401 Dayton-Xenia
Road, Dayton, Ohio 45432, United States
| | - Kateri Dillon
- 711th
Human Performance Wing, Airman Systems Directorate, Air Force Research
Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Sarah Zabarnick
- 711th
Human Performance Wing, Airman Systems Directorate, Air Force Research
Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, United States
| | - Nancy Kelley-Loughnane
- 711th
Human Performance Wing, Airman Systems Directorate, Air Force Research
Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, United States
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14
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Shemer B, Koshet O, Yagur-Kroll S, Belkin S. Microbial bioreporters of trace explosives. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2017; 45:113-119. [PMID: 28319855 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2017.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Revised: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Since its introduction as an explosive in the late 19th century, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), along with other explosive compounds, has left numerous environmental marks. One of these is widespread soil and water pollution by trace explosives in military proving grounds, manufacturing facilities, or actual battlefields. Another dramatic impact is that exerted by the millions of landmines and other explosive devices buried in large parts of the world, causing extensive loss of life, injuries, and economical damage. In this review we highlight recent advances in the design and construction of microbial bioreporters, molecularly engineered to generate a quantifiable dose-dependent signal in the presence of trace amounts of explosives. Such sensor strains may be employed for monitoring environmental pollution as well as for the remote detection of buried landmines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Shemer
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ori Koshet
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sharon Yagur-Kroll
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shimshon Belkin
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
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15
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Karthikeyan S, Kurt Z, Pandey G, Spain JC. Immobilized Biocatalyst for Detection and Destruction of the Insensitive Explosive, 2,4-Dinitroanisole (DNAN). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:11193-11199. [PMID: 27617621 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b03044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Accurate and convenient detection of explosive components is vital for a wide spectrum of applications ranging from national security and demilitarization to environmental monitoring and restoration. With the increasing use of DNAN as a replacement for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in insensitive explosive formulations, there has been a growing interest in strategies to minimize its release and to understand and predict its behavior in the environment. Consequently, a convenient tool for its detection and destruction could enable development of more effective decontamination and demilitarization strategies. Biosensors and biocatalysts have limited applicability to the more traditional explosives because of the inherent limitations of the relevant enzymes. Here, we report a highly specific, convenient and robust biocatalyst based on a novel ether hydrolase enzyme, DNAN demethylase (that requires no cofactors), from a Nocardioides strain that can mineralize DNAN. Biogenic silica encapsulation was used to stabilize the enzyme and enable it to be packed into a model microcolumn for application as a biosensor or as a bioreactor for continuous destruction of DNAN. The immobilized enzyme was stable and not inhibited by other insensitive munitions constituents. An alternative method for DNAN detection involved coating the encapsulated enzyme on cellulose filter paper. The hydrolase based biocatalyst could provide the basis for a wide spectrum of applications including detection, identification, destruction or inertion of explosives containing DNAN (demilitarization operations), and for environmental restorations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smruthi Karthikeyan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology , 311 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Zohre Kurt
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology , 311 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- Institute of Scientific Research and High Technology Services , Calle Pullpn, Panamá, Panama
| | - Gunjan Pandey
- CSIRO Land and Water , Clunies Ross Street, Acton, Australian Capital Territory 2615, Australia
| | - Jim C Spain
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology , 311 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- Center for Environmental Diagnostics & Bioremediation, University of West Florida , 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, Florida 32514-5751, United States
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16
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Shemer B, Palevsky N, Yagur-Kroll S, Belkin S. Genetically engineered microorganisms for the detection of explosives' residues. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:1175. [PMID: 26579085 PMCID: PMC4625088 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The manufacture and use of explosives throughout the past century has resulted in the extensive pollution of soils and groundwater, and the widespread interment of landmines imposes a major humanitarian risk and prevents civil development of large areas. As most current landmine detection technologies require actual presence at the surveyed areas, thus posing a significant risk to personnel, diverse research efforts are aimed at the development of remote detection solutions. One possible means proposed to fulfill this objective is the use of microbial bioreporters: genetically engineered microorganisms “tailored” to generate an optical signal in the presence of explosives’ vapors. The use of such sensor bacteria will allow to pinpoint the locations of explosive devices in a minefield. While no study has yet resulted in a commercially operational system, significant progress has been made in the design and construction of explosives-sensing bacterial strains. In this article we review the attempts to construct microbial bioreporters for the detection of explosives, and analyze the steps that need to be undertaken for this strategy to be applicable for landmine detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Shemer
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Noa Palevsky
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sharon Yagur-Kroll
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shimshon Belkin
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Jerusalem, Israel
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