Part:BBa_K1379004
S. pneumoniae σx CDS
Usage and Biology
σX (ComX) is an alternative σ factor in Streptococcus pneumoniae which serve as a competence-specific global transcription modulator. (BioCyc) In S. pneumoniae, competence (a state capable of being genetic transformed) happens transiently during the log phase growth, and is regulated by a quorum sensing system utilizing the Competence Signal Peptide (CSP). Upon stimulation by CSP, σX will be expressed and associate with RNA polymerase apoenzyme. The resulting holoenzyme will then be guided by σX to initiate transcription of a set of “late” genes enabling genetic transformation and other unknown functions.
iGEM 2014 Hong_Kong_HKUST Team has cloned σX from S. pneumoniae strain NCTC7465 and characterized its ability to initiate transcription of two downstream promoters: PchbB(BBa_K1379000) and PcomFA (BBa_K1379001).
Characterization
To test the functionality of σX, we first enabled constitutive expression of σX in the σX Generator BBa_K1379006. The generator was then assembled with the promoter measurement kit BBa_E0240 with either promoter PchbB (Promoter only: BBa_K1379000, w/ BBa_E0240: BBa_K1379002) and PcomFA (Promoter only: BBa_K1379001, w/ BBa_E0240: BBa_K1379003). E. coli colonies holding the resulting constructs in pSB3K3 were observed under fluorescent macroscope with UV filter. Measurement kit for standard reference promoter BBa_J23101, BBa_I20260 was used as a positive control; BBa_E0240 was used as the general negative control. for background fluorescence. Measurement kits for PchbB PcomFA without σX Generator were used as negative controls for function of σX
As shown below, only in the presence of σX would PchbB and PcomFA be turned on, therefore, σX is functional.
Sequence and Features
- 10COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[10]
- 12COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[12]
- 21COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[21]
- 23COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[23]
- 25COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[25]
- 1000INCOMPATIBLE WITH RFC[1000]Illegal BsaI site found at 298
Reference
//chassis/prokaryote/ecoli
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