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A modular autoinduction device for control of gene expression in Bacillus subtilis
Graciely Gomes Corrêa1, Milca Rachel da Costa Ribeiro Lins1, Bruna Fernandes Silva1
1Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Rodovia Araraquara-Jau Km1, Araraquara, 14800-903, Brazil.
Metabolic Engineering
|May 7, 2020
Summary
Engineered microbes can now self-regulate gene expression for balanced growth and production using novel autoinduction tools. This system, based on quorum sensing in Bacillus subtilis, offers tunable control without human intervention.
Area of Science:
- Synthetic biology
- Microbial engineering
Background:
- Metabolic burden in engineered microbes hinders growth and leads to population heterogeneity.
- Balancing microbial growth with high-demand biosynthesis is crucial for efficient production.
- Limited tools exist for dynamic pathway control to manage this balance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop broadly applicable, autonomous tools for dynamic gene expression control in Bacillus subtilis.
- To create a modular and tunable autoinduction system mediated by quorum sensing.
- To enable self-monitoring and induction of gene expression without external supervision.
Main Methods:
- Engineered two variations of an induction module and seven of a response module for quorum sensing-mediated gene expression.
- Developed a system for autonomous control of gene expression in Bacillus subtilis.
- Quantified promoter strength relative to established Bacillus subtilis promoters (PsrfA and Pveg).
Main Results:
- Created a range of induction folds and strengths for gene expression control.
- The strongest engineered response promoter demonstrated 2.5 and 3.2 times greater strength than PsrfA and Pveg, respectively.
- Successfully applied the strongest autoinduction device for vitamin B2 production.
Conclusions:
- Presented a modular and tunable toolbox of autoinduction modules for Bacillus subtilis.
- Demonstrated the utility of autonomous, quorum sensing-mediated gene expression control for microbial production.
- The developed system offers a novel approach to manage metabolic burden and optimize production in engineered microorganisms.
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