Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026

Live Cell Fluorescence Microscopy to Observe Essential Processes During Microbial Cell Growth
Published on: November 24, 2017
Novel Bifidobacterium promoters selected through microarray analysis lead to constitutive high-level gene expression
Yan Wang1, Jin Yong Kim, Myeong Soo Park
1Department of Food and Nutrition, Research Institute of Human Ecology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea.
Researchers developed a novel promoter screening system for Bifidobacterium, identifying strong promoters like P919 for high-level gene expression in food-grade applications.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Development of food-grade expression systems in Bifidobacterium requires strong promoters for high-level gene expression.
- A promoter screening host-vector system is essential for identifying suitable promoters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a promoter screening host-vector system for Bifidobacterium.
- To identify and characterize novel strong promoters for use in Bifidobacterium expression systems.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a β-glucosidase reporter system with Bifidobacterium bifidum BGN4 as the host.
- Employed microarray analysis to select putative promoters from the B. bifidum BGN4 genome.
- Cloned selected promoters upstream of the β-glucosidase gene and transformed into Escherichia coli DH5α and B. bifidum BGN4.
- Assessed promoter activity by measuring β-glucosidase activity in both host strains.
Main Results:
- Seven putative promoters exhibiting constitutive high-level expression were identified.
- Promoter activities showed growth-associated characteristics in both E. coli and B. bifidum.
- P919 demonstrated the strongest promoter activity in B. bifidum BGN4, peaking at 18 hours.
- P895 showed the strongest activity in E. coli DH5α, with maximum activity at 7 hours.
Conclusions:
- Identified novel strong promoters, including P919, suitable for high-level foreign gene expression in Bifidobacterium.
- The developed system and identified promoters are valuable for constructing efficient food-grade Bifidobacterium expression systems.
Related Concept Videos
Prokaryotic Transcriptional Activators and Repressors
Transcription of prokaryotic...
Prokaryotic Transcriptional Activators and Repressors
Transcription of prokaryotic...
Coordination of Gene Expression Processes in Bacteria
Constitutive and Regulated Gene Expression
Reporter Genes
Commonly used reporter...
Bacterial Transcription
Transcription can be divided into three main stages, each involving distinct DNA sequences to guide the polymerase. These are:

