Construction of a Bioluminescent Reporter Using the luc Gene and meta-Cleavage Dioxygenase Promoter for Detection of Catecholic Compounds

Construction of a Bioluminescent Reporter Using the luc Gene and meta-Cleavage Dioxygenase Promoter for Detection of Catecholic Compounds

Several types of bioluminescent reporter strains have been developed for the detection and monitoring of pollutant aromatics contaminating the environment. In this study, a bioluminescent reporter strain, E. coli SHP3, was constructed by fusing the luc gene of firefly luciferase with the promoter of pcbC responsible for the meta-cleavage of aromatic hydrocarbons. the bioluminescence expressed by the luc gene in the reporter was well triggered by the promoter when it was exposed to 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyI (2,3-DHBP) at 0.5 to 1 mM concentrations. The bioluminescent response was more extensive when the reporter strain was exposed to 5 mM catechol and 2 mM 4-chlorocatechol. These different types of bioluminescent responses by E. coli SHP3 appeared to be characterized by the nature of the aromatics to stress. Since E. coli SHP3 responded to 2,3-DHBP quite sensitively, this reporter strain could be applied for detecting some catecholic pollutants.