Abstract
Aims: The purpose of this study was to comprehensively compare the response of nine biosensors capable of being induced by Hg. Induction by Hg was based upon the insertion of merR, merB, zntA and zntR promoter genes. LuxCDABE or lucFF reporter genes expressed luminescence, and host organisms were Escherichia coli, Vibrio anguillarum and Pseudomonas fluorescens. The role of transcriptional switches, reporter mechanism and host organism was to be investigated.
Methods and Results: All biosensors were subjected to the same assay conditions. Sensors had their own individual growth characteristics and response to the doses of Hg tested. Maximum bioluminescence response was induced by concentrations of Hg between 2.5 nM and 5 muM. E. coli pRB28 was found to detect levels of Hg as low as 1.6 nM and yet was capable of operating in a concentration range of up to 12.5 muM.
Conclusions: The response of the sensors demonstrated their suitability for analysis under environmentally relevant concentrations. The sensitivity of the sensors, the optimum range and the expediency of the assay could not be related to a single sensor trait. It may be concluded that biosensor performance is dependent on more than one of the single factors studied.
Significance and Impact of the Study: The results show that comparative testing of sensors is an important step in evaluating the relevance and performance of biosensors prior to routine environmental application.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1192-1200 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Journal of Applied Microbiology |
| Volume | 97 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2004 |
Keywords
- bioavailability
- biosensor
- luc
- lux
- mer
- mercury
- ESCHERICHIA-COLI
- HEAVY-METALS
- MERCURY RESISTANCE
- BACTERIAL SENSORS
- ACUTE TOXICITY
- WHOLE-CELL
- BIOAVAILABILITY
- SOIL
- ARSENITE
- COPPER
Cite this
The role of host organism, transcriptional switches and reporter mechanisms in the performance of Hg-induced biosensors. / Harkins, Marianne; Porter, Andrew Justin Radcliffe; Paton, Graeme Iain.
In: Journal of Applied Microbiology, Vol. 97, 2004, p. 1192-1200.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The role of host organism, transcriptional switches and reporter mechanisms in the performance of Hg-induced biosensors
AU - Harkins, Marianne
AU - Porter, Andrew Justin Radcliffe
AU - Paton, Graeme Iain
PY - 2004
Y1 - 2004
N2 - Aims: The purpose of this study was to comprehensively compare the response of nine biosensors capable of being induced by Hg. Induction by Hg was based upon the insertion of merR, merB, zntA and zntR promoter genes. LuxCDABE or lucFF reporter genes expressed luminescence, and host organisms were Escherichia coli, Vibrio anguillarum and Pseudomonas fluorescens. The role of transcriptional switches, reporter mechanism and host organism was to be investigated.Methods and Results: All biosensors were subjected to the same assay conditions. Sensors had their own individual growth characteristics and response to the doses of Hg tested. Maximum bioluminescence response was induced by concentrations of Hg between 2.5 nM and 5 muM. E. coli pRB28 was found to detect levels of Hg as low as 1.6 nM and yet was capable of operating in a concentration range of up to 12.5 muM.Conclusions: The response of the sensors demonstrated their suitability for analysis under environmentally relevant concentrations. The sensitivity of the sensors, the optimum range and the expediency of the assay could not be related to a single sensor trait. It may be concluded that biosensor performance is dependent on more than one of the single factors studied.Significance and Impact of the Study: The results show that comparative testing of sensors is an important step in evaluating the relevance and performance of biosensors prior to routine environmental application.
AB - Aims: The purpose of this study was to comprehensively compare the response of nine biosensors capable of being induced by Hg. Induction by Hg was based upon the insertion of merR, merB, zntA and zntR promoter genes. LuxCDABE or lucFF reporter genes expressed luminescence, and host organisms were Escherichia coli, Vibrio anguillarum and Pseudomonas fluorescens. The role of transcriptional switches, reporter mechanism and host organism was to be investigated.Methods and Results: All biosensors were subjected to the same assay conditions. Sensors had their own individual growth characteristics and response to the doses of Hg tested. Maximum bioluminescence response was induced by concentrations of Hg between 2.5 nM and 5 muM. E. coli pRB28 was found to detect levels of Hg as low as 1.6 nM and yet was capable of operating in a concentration range of up to 12.5 muM.Conclusions: The response of the sensors demonstrated their suitability for analysis under environmentally relevant concentrations. The sensitivity of the sensors, the optimum range and the expediency of the assay could not be related to a single sensor trait. It may be concluded that biosensor performance is dependent on more than one of the single factors studied.Significance and Impact of the Study: The results show that comparative testing of sensors is an important step in evaluating the relevance and performance of biosensors prior to routine environmental application.
KW - bioavailability
KW - biosensor
KW - luc
KW - lux
KW - mer
KW - mercury
KW - ESCHERICHIA-COLI
KW - HEAVY-METALS
KW - MERCURY RESISTANCE
KW - BACTERIAL SENSORS
KW - ACUTE TOXICITY
KW - WHOLE-CELL
KW - BIOAVAILABILITY
KW - SOIL
KW - ARSENITE
KW - COPPER
U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2004.02421.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2004.02421.x
M3 - Article
VL - 97
SP - 1192
EP - 1200
JO - Journal of Applied Microbiology
JF - Journal of Applied Microbiology
SN - 1364-5072
ER -