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Updated: May 25, 2026

Inducible T7 RNA Polymerase-mediated Multigene Expression System, pMGX

Inducible T7 RNA Polymerase-mediated Multigene Expression System, pMGX

Published on: June 27, 2017

A riboswitch-based inducible gene expression system for mycobacteria.

Jessica C Seeliger¹, Shana Topp, Kimberly M Sogi

¹Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America.

|January 27, 2012

Summary

Researchers developed a novel synthetic riboswitch system for precise control over gene expression in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). This tool enables reversible protein regulation and gene knockdown without auxiliary proteins, advancing Mtb research.

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Area of Science:

Microbiology
Molecular Biology
Synthetic Biology

Background:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) research requires advanced tools for controlled gene expression.
Existing gene regulation systems in Mtb often necessitate co-expression of accessory proteins, limiting their utility.
Novel synthetic systems are needed to overcome these limitations for effective Mtb research.

Purpose of the Study:

To characterize and apply a novel synthetic riboswitch-based system for regulated gene expression in Mtb.
To demonstrate the system's ability to reversibly control gene expression, including protein overexpression and gene knockdown.
To evaluate the system's efficacy within a macrophage infection model.

Main Methods:

Development of a synthetic riboswitch system integrating a mycobacterial promoter and a riboswitch.
Application of the system for inducible and repressible heterologous protein overexpression.
Utilizing the system for conditional gene knockdown in Mtb.
Testing the system's performance in a macrophage infection model.

Main Results:

The synthetic riboswitch system demonstrated reversible control over gene expression in Mtb.
The system successfully induced and repressed heterologous protein overexpression.
Conditional gene knockdown was achieved using the riboswitch platform.
Effective gene expression control was observed within a macrophage infection model.

Conclusions:

The developed inducible riboswitch platform offers a powerful, self-contained strategy for customized gene regulation in Mtb.
This system eliminates the need for accessory proteins, simplifying gene expression control.
The platform has broad potential for advancing research on the human pathogen Mtb.