Firefly luciferase as the reporter for transcriptional response to the environment in Escherichia coli

Masashi Ryo, Yuta Oshikoshi, Shosei Doi, Shogo Motoki, Atsuko Niimi, Setsuyuki Aoki

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

We demonstrate that firefly luciferase is a good reporter in Escherichia coli for transcription dynamics in response to the environment. E. coli strains, carrying a fusion of the promoter of the ycgZ gene and the coding region of the luciferase gene, showed transient bioluminescence on receiving blue light. This response was compromised in mutants lacking known regulators in manners consistent with each regulator's function. We also show that relA, a gene encoding a (p)ppGpp synthetase, affects ycgZ dynamics when nullified. Moreover, two unstable luciferase variants showed improved response dynamics and should be useful to study quick changes of gene expression.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)211-213
Number of pages3
JournalAnalytical Biochemistry
Volume443
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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