Rapid, sensitive bioluminescent reporter technology for naphthalene exposure and biodegradation

J. M.H. King, P. M. Digrazia, B. Applegate, R. Burlage, J. Sanseverino, P. Dunbar, F. Larimer, G. S. Sayler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

352 Scopus citations

Abstract

A bioluminescent reporter plasmid for naphthalene catabolism (pUTK21) was developed by transposon (Tn4431) insertion of the lux gene cassette from Vibrio fischen into a naphthalene catabolic plasmid in Pseudomonas fluorescens. The insertion site of the lux transposon was the nahG gene encoding for salicylate hydroxylase. Luciferase-mediated light production from P. fluorescens strains harboring this plasmid was induced on exposure to naphthalene or the regulatory inducer metabolite, salicylate. In continuous culture, light induction was rapid (15 minutes) and was highly responsive to dynamic changes in naphthalene exposure. Strains harboring pUTK21 were responsive to aromatic hydrocarbon contamination in Manufactured Gas Plant soils and produced sufficient light to serve as biosensors of naphthalene exposure and reporters of naphthalene biodegradative activity. The robust and sensitive nature of the bioluminescent reporter technology suggests that new sensing methods can be developed for on-line process monitoring and control in complex environmental matrices.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)778-781
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume249
Issue number4970
StatePublished - Aug 17 1990
Externally publishedYes

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