Team:Chiba/Project

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Project overview

E.coli time manager

  We control the timing of gene expression by using multiple signaling devices.To this end,we utilize molecules associated with Quorum sensing, a phenomenon that allows bacteria to communicate with each other.Our project uses two classes of bacteria: senders and receivers. Senders produce signaling molecules, and Receivers are activated only after a particular concentration of this molecule is reached.Although different quorum sensing species have slightly different signaling molecules, these molecules are not completely specific to their hosts and cross-species reactivity is observed (M.K Winson et al.FEMS Microbiology Letters 1998).Communication using non-endogenous molecules is less sensitive, andrequires a higher signal concentration to take effect.This results in slower activation of receivers.

Project Design

About Quorum Sensing

  Quorum sensing is a cell-to-cell signaling action of bacteria. They detect the cell density of the same species and coordinate the expression behavior of their cells. Species of Gram-Negative signaling transfer molecules (so-called autoinducer) is a series of acyl homoserine lactone (AHL). The signals are synthesized from precursors by a synthase protein, “I,” and once they have reached a certain threshold concentration, they bound to a transcriptional activating “R” protein to induce expression of target genes.

Controlling the time of a cell-to-cell signaling action

   Our project uses two classes of bacteria: senders and receivers. Senders produce signaling molecules, and Receivers are activated only after a particular concentration of this molecule is reached.When signal concentration is increasing

  • Quorum-Sensing Cross-talk

   Species-specific quorum sensing in Gram-negative bacteria is mediated by acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) with various moieties distinguishing signals among species.AHLs produced by different bacteria differ only in the length of the acyl-chain moiety and substitution at position C3.(BBa_F2620:Specificity)

Experiments

AHL signaling test

Method

  1. Transform Senders into E.coli strains(JW1908/XL10GOLD) and Receiver into Ecoli strain(JW1908).
  2. Inoculated them independently in liquid media. Incubated at 37℃ 12h.
  3. Washed Senders and receiver.
  4. Mix them.
  5. Incubated at 37℃ or 30℃.
  6. Measured intensity of green fluorescence at regular time intervals.

Results

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