A biosensor toolbox for monitoring recombinant protein production in Escherichia coli

Recombinant protein production can be a challenging process. To help users troubleshoot and optimize experiments in Escherichia coli we have compiled and characterized a toolbox of biosensor plasmids. It contains a biosensor that monitors the translational efficiency of the recombinant protein and quality control biosensors that detect unwanted events, such as protein misfolding in the cytoplasm, inefficient translocation through the Sec translocon, or protein misfolding in the periplasm. The biosensors were combined with different fluorescent proteins so that multiple events could be measured in parallel, in the same cell. The toolbox is a resource for diagnosing protein production problems and evaluating solutions that mitigate these problems.