Continuous monitoring of protein damaging toxicity using a recombinant bioluminescent Escherichia coli

Abstract

Through the use of the recombinant bacterium TV 1061, containing a grpE-luxCDABE fusion, and a previously developed continuous toxicity monitoring system we were able to detect protein damaging toxicity in aqueous systems. This bacterial strain is responsive to the toxicity of protein-damaging agents and produces a bioluminescent response in their presence. The system uses the two-stage mini-bioreactors previously developed in our lab which allows stability even under the conditions that the toxicity greatly exceeded the sub-lethal level. The response of the strain under these conditions shows a unique signature when compared to previously tested strains.