Difference between revisions of "Team:Technion Israel/Tar improvements"

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<p class="text-justify">
 
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As Tar is the template chemoreceptor of our project, we need first to characterize it in  
+
As Tar is the template chemoreceptor of our project, we first need to characterize it in  
 
terms of response, movement and location <i> in vivo </i>. In order to do so, plasmid expressing  
 
terms of response, movement and location <i> in vivo </i>. In order to do so, plasmid expressing  
 
Tar was cloned to chemoreceptors free <I>E.coli</I> strain
 
Tar was cloned to chemoreceptors free <I>E.coli</I> strain
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<div class="col-md-6 col-sm-12 vcenter"><!--6 text-->
 
<p class="text-justify">
 
<p class="text-justify">
Expression of a sole chemoreceptor in bacteria and high expression of it, increases the sensitivity  
+
Studies have shown that expression of a sole chemoreceptor in high level increases the sensitivity of the bacteria to the chemoreceptors ligands <b>(1)</b>. Due to this property we constructed a high expression  
to the chemoreceptors ligands <b>(1)</b>. Due to these properties we constructed a high expression  
+
system of Tar chemoreceptor based on <a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K777000" target="_blank">K777000</a> BioBrick. The expression system includes      the strongest Anderson promoter (<a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_J23100" target="_blank">J23100</a>)
system of Tar chemoreceptor based on <a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K777000" target="_blank">K777000</a> BioBrick.The expression system includes      the strongest Anderson promoter (<a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_J23100" target="_blank">J23100</a>)
+
and the strongest RBS (<a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_B0034" target="_blank">B0034</a>),
and the strongest RBS (<a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_B0034" target="_blank">B0034</a>)  
+
according to <a href="https://2010.igem.org/Team:Warsaw/Stage1/RBSMeas" target="_blank">Warsaw 2010's measurement</a>, Tar encoding sequence (<a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K777000" target="_blank">K777000</a>) and a double terminator (<a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_B0015" target="_blank">B0015</a>).<br>
according to <a href="https://2010.igem.org/Team:Warsaw/Stage1/RBSMeas" target="_blank">Warsaw 2010's measurement</a>, Tar encoding sequence (<a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K777000" target="_blank">K777000</a>) and a double terminator (<a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_B0015" target="_blank">B0015</a>).<br>
+
 
This plasmid, <a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K1992004" target="_blank">K1992004</a>,  
 
This plasmid, <a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K1992004" target="_blank">K1992004</a>,  
 
then transformd to UU1250 strain for high expression of single chemoreceptor (fig. 1).
 
then transformd to UU1250 strain for high expression of single chemoreceptor (fig. 1).
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<i> E.coli </i> native chemoreceptors cluster in the cell poles. This property is critical for signal  
 
<i> E.coli </i> native chemoreceptors cluster in the cell poles. This property is critical for signal  
 
amplification and adaptation of the cell. Although little is known about the mechanism of  
 
amplification and adaptation of the cell. Although little is known about the mechanism of  
localization, it is important that this property will preserve, in order to keep a functional  
+
localization, it is important to preserve this property with our designed receptors in order to keep a functional  
 
and sensitive chemotaxis response <b>(2)</b>.<br>
 
and sensitive chemotaxis response <b>(2)</b>.<br>
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
GFP labeling is a very common way to examine the migration and localization of certain proteins <i> in vivo </i>.  
 
GFP labeling is a very common way to examine the migration and localization of certain proteins <i> in vivo </i>.  
 
Fusion of GFP (<a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_E0040" target="_blank">E0040</a>) to Tar  
 
Fusion of GFP (<a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_E0040" target="_blank">E0040</a>) to Tar  
chemoreceptor enables us to track the migration and localization of the protein to the cell poles as  
+
chemoreceptor enabled us to track the migration and localization of the protein to the cell poles as  
expected. The fusion conducted using flexible linker (<a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_J18921" target="_blank">J18921</a>)  
+
expected. The fusion was conducted using flexible linker (<a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_J18921" target="_blank">J18921</a>)  
 
in order to keep the domain structures of the proteins. The Tar-GFP (<a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K1992003" target="_blank">K1992003</a>)  
 
in order to keep the domain structures of the proteins. The Tar-GFP (<a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K1992003" target="_blank">K1992003</a>)  
 
expressed using the two expression systems (<a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K1992008" target="_blank">K1992008</a> and  
 
expressed using the two expression systems (<a href="http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K1992008" target="_blank">K1992008</a> and  
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Tar exhibits attraction response toward aspartate and a repellent response away from  
 
Tar exhibits attraction response toward aspartate and a repellent response away from  
Ni<sup>+2</sup> and Co<sup>+2</sup> concentrations <b>(3)</b>. Various chemotaxis assays performed,  
+
Ni<sup>+2</sup> and Co<sup>+2</sup> concentrations <b>(3)</b>. Various chemotaxis assays were performed,  
using those substances, to show the bacteria desired response and movement. In turn these results  
+
using those substances, to show the bacteria response and movement. In turn these results  
will be used as reference in order to test the bacteria behavior with our designed chemoreceptors.<br>
+
will be used as reference in order to test the bacterial behavior with our designed chemoreceptors.<br>
 
<br>
 
<br>
 
<a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:Technion_Israel/Experiments" target="_blank">Swarming assay</a> conducted  
 
<a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:Technion_Israel/Experiments" target="_blank">Swarming assay</a> conducted  
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<a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:Technion_Israel/Experiments" target="_blank">chip microscope assay</a>.  
 
<a href="https://2016.igem.org/Team:Technion_Israel/Experiments" target="_blank">chip microscope assay</a>.  
 
The bacteria express Tar moving toward high concentration of aspartate. As can be seen (fig 8) after  
 
The bacteria express Tar moving toward high concentration of aspartate. As can be seen (fig 8) after  
15 minutes, the number of the bacteria in the frame rises that compared to the control (fig 9) that  
+
15 minutes, the number of the bacteria in the frame rose that compared to the control (fig 9) that  
remains approximately the same.
+
remained approximately the same.
 
</p>
 
</p>
 
</div>
 
</div>

Revision as of 12:06, 17 October 2016

S.tar, by iGEM Technion 2016

S.tar, by iGEM Technion 2016

Introduction

As Tar is the template chemoreceptor of our project, we first need to characterize it in terms of response, movement and location in vivo . In order to do so, plasmid expressing Tar was cloned to chemoreceptors free E.coli strain UU1250. A proper characterization of the bacteria will serve as good comparison for our newly designed chemoreceptors, allowing us to examine if they have the right properties indicating functional chemoreceptors.




Expression


Studies have shown that expression of a sole chemoreceptor in high level increases the sensitivity of the bacteria to the chemoreceptors ligands (1). Due to this property we constructed a high expression system of Tar chemoreceptor based on K777000 BioBrick. The expression system includes the strongest Anderson promoter (J23100) and the strongest RBS (B0034), according to Warsaw 2010's measurement, Tar encoding sequence (K777000) and a double terminator (B0015).
This plasmid, K1992004, then transformd to UU1250 strain for high expression of single chemoreceptor (fig. 1).

Fig. 1: K1992004 - High expression biological circuit ; J23100 promoter, B0034 RBS, K777000 Tar chemoreceptor and terminator.




In order to optimize the sensitivity of our system we also decided to examine the effect Tar native RBS has on the expression level. The strong RBS (referred as RBS) was replaced by the native RBS (referred as nRBS) of Tar as found in the E.coli genome. The new expression system K1992005 differs only by the RBS, allowing the comparison between the expression levels of the two RBS's.

Fig. 2: K1992005 - High expression circuit using the Tar native RBS.




Location

E.coli native chemoreceptors cluster in the cell poles. This property is critical for signal amplification and adaptation of the cell. Although little is known about the mechanism of localization, it is important to preserve this property with our designed receptors in order to keep a functional and sensitive chemotaxis response (2).

GFP labeling is a very common way to examine the migration and localization of certain proteins in vivo . Fusion of GFP (E0040) to Tar chemoreceptor enabled us to track the migration and localization of the protein to the cell poles as expected. The fusion was conducted using flexible linker (J18921) in order to keep the domain structures of the proteins. The Tar-GFP (K1992003) expressed using the two expression systems (K1992008 and K1992009) and obtained using fluorescence microscope (fig. 3 and fig. 4). In both cases, high concentration of fluorescence can be seen in the cell poles indicating a proper migration and functionality of the Tar receptor. Comparison between the two expression systems (strong RBS and native RBS) did not show any significant difference.




a.

b.

Fig. 3: Tar-GFP expressed using B0034 RBS. (a) The cells under white light (b) the cells under 488nm wavelength.


a.

b.

Fig. 4: Tar-GFP expressed using the native RBS. (a) The cells under white light (b) the cells under 488nm wavelength


Response and movement

Tar exhibits attraction response toward aspartate and a repellent response away from Ni+2 and Co+2 concentrations (3). Various chemotaxis assays were performed, using those substances, to show the bacteria response and movement. In turn these results will be used as reference in order to test the bacterial behavior with our designed chemoreceptors.

Swarming assay conducted to both RBS and native RBS (fig. 5 and fig. 6). Both exhibit chemotaxis response and movement compared to the negative and positive control. Moreover, these results show a difference in radius size between the RBS and the native RBS (fig 7). The larger radius of the native RBS suggested higher a sensitivity of the chemotaxis system, that caused by a higher expression of Tar (1).




Fig. 5: (a) Tar expression in UU1250 strain, resulting a halo indicating a functional chemotaxis response. (b) Negative control- UU1250 strain w/o the Tar expression plasmid. (c) positive control - ΔZ strain expressing all chemoreceptors.


Fig. 6: (a) Tar expression using the native RBS in UU1250 strain, resulting a halo indicating a functional chemotaxis response. (b) Negative control- UU1250 strain w/o the Tar expression plasmid. (c) positive control - ΔZ strain expressing all chemoreceptors.


Fig. 7: (a) Tar expression in UU1250 strain cloned with K1992004 expretion system - strong RBS. (b) Tar expression in UU1250 strain cloned with K1992004 expretion system - Tar native RBS




Attractant response of the Tar receptor tested using chip microscope assay. The bacteria express Tar moving toward high concentration of aspartate. As can be seen (fig 8) after 15 minutes, the number of the bacteria in the frame rose that compared to the control (fig 9) that remained approximately the same.




a.

b.

Fig. 8: (a) cells expressing Tar w aspartate t=0 (b) cells expressing Tar w aspartate t=15 min




a.

b.

Fig. 9: (a) cells expressing Tar w motility buffer t=0 (b) cells expressing Tar w motility buffer t=15 min




Repellent response of Tar receptor tested using chip color assay. The bacteria express Tar moving away from the high concentration of Co+2. As can be seen (fig 10) after 15 minutes, the colored bacteria formed a cluster visible to the naked eye, that compared to the control (fig 11) which did not form cluster. missimg results

Referances

1. SOURJIK, Victor; BERG, Howard C. Functional interactions between receptors in bacterial chemotaxis. Nature, 2004, 428.6981: 437-441.‏

2. SHIOMI, Daisuke, et al. Helical distribution of the bacterial chemoreceptor via colocalization with the Sec protein translocation machinery. Molecular microbiology, 2006, 60.4: 894-906.‏

3. BI, Shuangyu; LAI, Luhua. Bacterial chemoreceptors and chemoeffectors.Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 2015, 72.4: 691-708.‏




S.tar, by iGEM Technion 2016