AI Article Synopsis
- Bacillus subtilis displays complex gene expression patterns that are challenging to study.
- Researchers developed a new optogenetic tool by integrating a light sensor system from cyanobacteria into B. subtilis to control gene expression.
- The optimized tool shows significant gene activation (over 70-fold) and quick response times, which enhances its applicability for investigating various gene regulatory processes.
Article Abstract
The Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis exhibits complex spatial and temporal gene expression signals. Although optogenetic tools are ideal for studying such processes, none has been engineered for this organism. Here, we port a cyanobacterial light sensor pathway comprising the green/red photoreversible two-component system CcaSR, two metabolic enzymes for production of the chromophore phycocyanobilin (PCB), and an output promoter to control transcription of a gene of interest into B. subtilis. Following an initial non-functional design, we optimize expression of pathway genes, enhance PCB production via a translational fusion of the biosynthetic enzymes, engineer a strong chimeric output promoter, and increase dynamic range with a miniaturized photosensor kinase. Our final design exhibits over 70-fold activation and rapid response dynamics, making it well-suited to studying a wide range of gene regulatory processes. In addition, the synthetic biology methods we develop to port this pathway should make B. subtilis easier to engineer in the future.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6629627 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-10906-6 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Devopmental & Comparative Immunology Lipoxin B and lipocalin play a crucial role in insect immune-priming induced by a gut microbial commensal.
Dev Comp Immunol
January 2025
Department of Plant Medicals, College of Life Sciences, Andong National University, Andong 36729, Korea. Electronic address:
Host cabbage possesses an endophyte, Bacillus subtilis, which induced immune-priming of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. In contrast, larvae raised under axenic conditions lost the chance to feed the bacteria and were highly susceptible to various pathogens. Addition of B.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTowards measurements of absolute membrane potential in Bacillus subtilis using fluorescence lifetime.
Biophys Rep (N Y)
January 2025
UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA,; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA,; Department of Physiology, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA,; California Nano Systems Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA,; Department of Physics, Institute for Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel.
Membrane potential (MP) changes can provide a simple readout of bacterial functional and metabolic state or stress levels. While several optical methods exist for measuring fast changes in MP in excitable cells, there is a dearth of such methods for absolute and precise measurements of steady-state membrane potentials (MPs) in bacterial cells. Conventional electrode-based methods for the measurement of MP are not suitable for calibrating optical methods in small bacterial cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOptimal nitrite degradation by isolated Bacillus subtilis sp. N4 and applied for intensive aquaculture water quality management with immobilized strains.
J Environ Manage
January 2025
Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address:
The toxicity of nitrite is an issue that cannot be overlooked in nitrogen pollution within aquaculture. A highly efficient bacterium capable of simultaneous nitrification and denitrification was screened from natto, and its 16S rRNA gene sequence was compared to existing records, confirming its identification as Bacillus subtilis sp. N4.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEcology of prophage-like elements in Bacillus subtilis at global and local geographical scales.
Cell Rep
January 2025
Department of Microbiology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Electronic address:
Prophages constitute a substantial portion of bacterial genomes, yet their effects on hosts remain poorly understood. We examine the abundance, distribution, and activity of prophages in Bacillus subtilis using computational and laboratory analyses. Genome sequences from the NCBI database and riverbank soil isolates reveal prophages primarily related to mobile genetic elements in laboratory strains.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA cross-species inducible system for enhanced protein expression and multiplexed metabolic pathway fine-tuning in bacteria.
Nucleic Acids Res
January 2025
Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, NO.1800, Lihu avenue, Wuxi 214122, China.
Inducible systems are crucial to metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, enabling organisms that function as biosensors and produce valuable compounds. However, almost all inducible systems are strain-specific, limiting comparative analyses and applications across strains rapidly. This study designed and presented a robust workflow for developing the cross-species inducible system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!