Part:BBa_K2315046
Contents
Rpa-Las signal converter
Group: Shanghaitech iGEM 2017
Introduction
In synthetic biology, quorum sensing system (QS system) has been researched as a way of bacteria communication. A whole system always concludes two parts: a generator of AHL molecules and a reporter which can receive molecules and activate the downstream genes’ expression. However, there is rarely molecule converter, which can receive a kind of AHL molecule and convert it into another AHL molecule. In our project this year, we pay attention to two kinds of QS systems: Las and Rpa. We successfully construct a ‘converter’– it can receive Rpa molecules and then generate Las molecules. This device achieves a simple logic circuit, moreover, It may lay the foundation for constructing a much more complex logic circuits.
As shown in figure 1, the conversion process includes 5 steps:
- 1、Rpa molecules enter E.coli.
- 2、RpaR protein translation after the induction of constitutive promotor and Rpa promotor (can be induced by Rpa molecules). Then Rpa molecules make
RpaR proteins dimerization.
- 3、The dimerized RpaR binds to pRpa promotor and activate the downstream LasI transcription.
- 4、LasI protein translation.
- 5-1 5-2、LasI protein catalyzes the reaction that converts E.coli substrates into Las molecules.
To demonstrate the function of this part, we did a series of experiments:
LasI (coding sequence) functional verification
Firstly, we test the function of LasI coding sequence. We construct a plasmid BBa_K2315033 which contains a constitutive promotor BBa_J23100, a strong RBS BBa_B0034 and LasI coding sequence BBa_C0178. For detecting the Las molecule accurately, we use HPLC and LC-MS.
- a) The chromatography of standard sample of Las molecule (3OC12) from [http://www.adipogen.com/ Adipogen].
- b) The chromatography of LasI product generated from BBa_K2315033.
- c) Blank control.
- d) LC-MS analysis of LasI product from BBa_K2315033.
According to figure 2, we can conclude that the LasI coding sequence we use can generate the enzyme to convert substrates to Las molecules (3OC12).
Converter functional verification
As the LasI coding sequence works, next we test the function of this part as a converter. Also by using HPLC and LC-MS, we successfully detected the product from converter.
- a) Converter product Las molecules are detected with HPLC at three different concentrations of Rpa molecule (inducer). As the Rpa concentration increases, the pike area of product decreases. However, the generation of Las molecules do exist.
- b) LC-MS analysis of converter product.
In conclusion, the converter has the function to convert Rpa molecules into Las molecules.
Las molecule attenuation
If Las molecule can be generated, we should ask a question: is it robust? What’s its half-life? To verify its stability, we did the following experiment. Firstly we collected the supernatant of Las molecule generator BBa_K2315033, then we set a time-course from 1h to 7h to check Las molecule stability. Finally we tested these samples by HPLC and LC-MS.
- a) With time increasing, the relative pike area decreases slowly. All the values have the same magnitude (10E8), which means Las molecule is quite stable in cell culture medium.
- b) LC-MS analysis of converter product after 1 hour induction.
In summary, Las molecule can be robustly generated and there is no obvious attenuation in cell culture supernatant.
Converter gradient induction
Now we have done a lot for characterization of Las molecule, how about its biological function? Does it work as an inducer or a signal molecule? Thus we constructed another plasmid BBa_K2315034. This part works as a molecule receiver and reporter – It can be induced by Las molecule and activate downstream GFP expression. We can measure the fluorescence of GFP that reflects the strength of inducer. For this measurement, we did the following experiment: two samples were prepared, one with Rpa molecules and the converter bacteria added as the experimental group (red line in figure 5), the other one with only Rpa molecules added as the control group (blue line in figure 5). Furthermore, we also wanted to know whether the concentrations of Rpa molecule influence the translation of GFP, thus we tested a series of concentrations of Rpa molecule from 10E-9 to 10E-5. From figure 5 we notice that the Las molecule reporter BBa_K2315034 has an obvious response to Las molecule. However, Rpa cannot induce GFP expression, demonstrating no crosstalk between Las and Rpa. Notably, the expression level of GFP increases with increased Las molecule concentration.
In a word, Las molecule generated by the converter does have the biological function for signalling and inducing.
Converter's time response
GFP expression level should be different at different induction time. We also did an experiment to test that. After inducing the converter for 3, 6 and 9 hrs with different amount of Rpa molecules, we collected the supernatant from converter and added them to the reporter respectively. The curve shows that >6h induction, the GFP’s expression do not have apparent difference. Our data indicates the concentration of Rpa molecule and incubation time of Las reporter, both have effect on final GFP expression.
To conclude, the converter has a time-dependent response for Rpa molecule induction.
Reporter's GFP expression under fluorescence microscope
To demonstrate GFP expression of Las molecule reporterBBa_K2315034, we used fluorescence microscope to observe GFP fluorescence. Figure 7 shows two different samples – one was added the supernatant of Las molecule generator (BBa_K2315033) and the other wasn’t. We can clearly observe the difference in fluorescence – the positive control has stronger GFP signal than the negative control in dark field. Thus, Las molecule reporter can work well to detect Las molecule.
Sequence and Features
- 10COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[10]
- 12INCOMPATIBLE WITH RFC[12]Illegal NheI site found at 85
Illegal NheI site found at 108 - 21INCOMPATIBLE WITH RFC[21]Illegal BamHI site found at 571
Illegal XhoI site found at 206 - 23COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[23]
- 25INCOMPATIBLE WITH RFC[25]Illegal NgoMIV site found at 214
Illegal NgoMIV site found at 278
Illegal NgoMIV site found at 563
Illegal NgoMIV site found at 651
Illegal AgeI site found at 1335 - 1000COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[1000]
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