Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 7, 2025

Analyzing Gene Expression from Marine Microbial Communities using Environmental Transcriptomics
Published on: February 18, 2009
From Sequences to Enzymes: Heterologous Expression of Genes from Marine Microbes
Angelica Severino1, Alessandro Coppola1, Monica Correggia1
1Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Abstract:
Heterologous expression is an easy and broadly applicable experimental approach widely used to investigate protein functions without the need to genetically manipulate the original host. The approach is used to obtain large quantities of the desired protein, which can be further analyzed from a biochemical, structural, and functional perspective. The expression system consists of three main components: (1) a foreign DNA sequence coding for the protein of interest; (2) a suitable expression vector; (3) a suitable host (bacterial, yeast, or mammalian cells) which does not encode or express the protein of interest. Here, we show how to apply an Escherichia coli-based expression system to overexpress protein encoding genes from marine microbes.
Related Concept Videos
Reporter Genes
Genomic DNA in Prokaryotes
Genomic Diversity in Bacteria
Although bacterial genomes are much...
Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
Coordination of Gene Expression Processes in Bacteria

