Abstract
Control and quantification of effector molecules such as heavy metals, toxins or other target molecules is of great biotechnological, social and economic interest. Microorganisms have regulatory proteins that recognize and modify the gene expression in the presence or absence of these compounds (effector molecules) by means of binding to gene sequences. The association of these recognizing gene sequences to reporter genes will allow the detection of effector molecules of interest with high sensitivity. Once investigators have these two elements—recognizing gene sequences and reporter genes that emit signals—we need a suitable vehicle to introduce both elements. Here, we suggest lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria as promising carrier microorganisms for these molecular biosensors. The use of fluorescent proteins as well as food-grade vectors and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) are indispensable tools for introducing biosensors into these microorganisms. The use of these LAB and bifidobacteria would be of special interest for studying the intestinal environment or other complex ecosystems. The great variety of species adapted to many environments, as well as the possibility of applying several protocols for their transformation with recognizing gene sequences and reporter genes are considerable advantages. Finally, an effort must be made to find recognizable gene sequences.
Highlights
Biosensors, sometimes referred to as bioreporters or genosensors, are microorganisms, cell cultures or cell lines, often genetically engineered, with activity that reflects changes in environmental conditions in a dose-dependent manner [1].The origin of biosensors can be found in the adaptive responses of living organisms, which are mediated by transcriptional regulators that recognize effector molecules binding to the DNA modifying the transcription [2]
lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria can be used as biosensor vehicles for the detection of effector molecules, providing information about the improvement or worsening of some functional foods or living organisms
Through the use of food-grade vectors and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system, we can successfully introduce the biosensors into LAB and bifidobacteria with great sensitivity
Summary
Biosensors, sometimes referred to as bioreporters or genosensors, are microorganisms, cell cultures or cell lines, often genetically engineered, with activity that reflects changes in environmental conditions in a dose-dependent manner [1]. The origin of biosensors can be found in the adaptive responses of living organisms, which are mediated by transcriptional regulators that recognize effector molecules binding to the DNA modifying the transcription [2]. The promoter gene in a normal bacterial cell is linked to other genes that are likewise transcribed, and translated into proteins that help the cell in either combating or adapting to the agent to which it has been exposed [3] They contain two essential genetic elements; a promoter sequence (biosensor) and a reporter gene (bioreporter). The reporter gene is turned on (transcribed) when the target agent or effector molecule present in the cell’s environment is recognized by a protein (transcriptional regulator) that is capable of binding to DNA, modifying the transcription [4] (Figure 1). The power of these systems to perform highly efficient alterations targeted at genome sequences could be used in the development of molecular biosensors
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