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Team:HKU-HKBU/polar expression design
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| - | + | To achieve the interaction between bacteria and micromotors (bactomotor), polar expression of the protein streptavidin at one end of the bacteria is crucial in our project. When polar expression streptavidin bacteria encounter the biotin coated motor, there specific combination and bacteria mobility can generate propulsion force to the Bactomotor. Therefore, this synthetic device is capable to convert biological energy into mechanical work. | |
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| + | Two polar expression systems were constructed as follows: | ||
*In ''E.coli'' system | *In ''E.coli'' system | ||
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The plasmid we used is Lpp-OmpA-GFP-streptavidin, which can be polarly expressed on one side of rod-shaped bacteria. '''Lpp''' functions as a signal peptide; '''OmpA''' is the player which can achieve the surface expression of specific proteins; '''GFP-Strp''' acts the same role as above. | The plasmid we used is Lpp-OmpA-GFP-streptavidin, which can be polarly expressed on one side of rod-shaped bacteria. '''Lpp''' functions as a signal peptide; '''OmpA''' is the player which can achieve the surface expression of specific proteins; '''GFP-Strp''' acts the same role as above. | ||
| - | After we successfully constructed two polar expression systems, strain | + | After we successfully constructed two polar expression systems, which bacteria strain to be used becomes our crutial task. |
Revision as of 14:24, 14 October 2009
Contents |
Polar Expression - Design
To achieve the interaction between bacteria and micromotors (bactomotor), polar expression of the protein streptavidin at one end of the bacteria is crucial in our project. When polar expression streptavidin bacteria encounter the biotin coated motor, there specific combination and bacteria mobility can generate propulsion force to the Bactomotor. Therefore, this synthetic device is capable to convert biological energy into mechanical work.
Two polar expression systems were constructed as follows:
- In E.coli system
In the plasmid pET-SP-GFP-Streptavidin-AIDA, pET is a promoter which needs T7 polymerase to promote its function; Signal peptide(SP) can bring the plasmid to the membrane region of the bacteria; GFP is integrated within the plasmid for detection; Streptavidin is specifically binding with biotin, which achieved the combination of the bacteria and biotin coated motor; AIDA is a transmembrane protein, which leads to the polar expression of the whole plasmid. However, AIDA protein can only be expressed in a LPS complete strain, which is a constraint when choosing the bacteria strains.
- In Salmonella system
The plasmid we used is Lpp-OmpA-GFP-streptavidin, which can be polarly expressed on one side of rod-shaped bacteria. Lpp functions as a signal peptide; OmpA is the player which can achieve the surface expression of specific proteins; GFP-Strp acts the same role as above.
After we successfully constructed two polar expression systems, which bacteria strain to be used becomes our crutial task.
Strain Selection
To maximize the efficiency of motor, it is essential to screen and select bacteria species and strains equipped with outstanding swimming abilities as well as a complete LPS (lipopolysaccharide) layer. This layer, present in the bacterial cell wall, is required for polar expression of certain proteins(AIDI) The candidates included Escherichia. Coli strains: BL21, NCM3722, MG1655, MG3, and 2443 (strain 2443 ompT pIB264), and Salmonella SL7207.
Swimming plate assay
The fastest-swimming bacteria among our candidates were determined by this assay. By measuring the diameter on the swimming plate at differnt Different strains were first introduced to suitable agar media, and the diameter of the colonies are measured every hour in the first 8 hours in order to obtain approximated data of their swimming speed. The data are also recorded overnight for confirmation. No or inconspicuous increase in diameter is classified as negative result. The swim plates of BL21, NCM3722 and MG1655 yielded negative results. Although the clouded area of the MG3 plate showed augmentation in diameter, the colony was of the shape of dispersed clouds whereas a positive result would show distinct circles as a result of chemotaxis. We attribute this to contamination by other bacteria. Salmonella - a bacteria with well known swimming abilities (~4.5mm/hr) - was employed as our positive control. However, surprisingly, E.coli 2443 shows even more impressive performance, with a speed of approximate 5.5mm increase in radius every hour at the end of eight-hour-experiment.
| Strain | BL21 | NCM3722 | MG1655 | MG3 | 2443 | SL7207 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swim plate assay result | - | - | - | / | ++ | + |
LPS completeness
LPS takes vital part in specifically expressing streptavidin, the protein enabling the binding of bacteria to motor in our project. After literature reviews, E. coli 2443 [1] and Salmonella [2] are identified to possess complete LPS layer. Their ability to express desirable proteins on the head is examined in later experiment.
Conclusion
Combining the results of two parts, E. coli 2443 and Salmonella SL7207 are adopted in further experiment and entitled with PB (Propeller Bacteria) 001 and PB 002 correspondingly.
Reference
- Sumita Jain, Peter van Ulsen, Inga Benz, M. Alexander Schmidt, Rachel Fernandez, Jan Tommassen, and Marcia B. Goldberg, Polar Localization of the Autotransporter Family of Large Bacterial Virulence Proteins, Journal of Bacteriology, July 2006, p. 4841-4850, Vol. 188, No. 13
- Maurien M. A. Olsthoorn, Bent O. Petersen, Siegfried Schlecht, Johan Haverkamp, Klaus Bock, Jane E. Thomas-Oates and Otto Holst, Identification of a Novel Core Type in Salmonella Lipopolysaccharide, The Journal of Biological Chemistry, Vol. 273, No. 7, Issue of February 13, pp. 3817-3829, 1998
