Reversible thermal regulation for bifunctional dynamic control of gene expression in Escherichia coli

Xuan Wang, Jia-Ning Han, Xu Zhang, Yue-Yuan Ma, Yina Lin, Huan Wang, Dian-Jie Li, Tao-Ran Zheng, Fu-Qing Wu, Jian-Wen Ye () and Guo-Qiang Chen ()
Additional contact information
Xuan Wang: Tsinghua University
Jia-Ning Han: Tsinghua University
Xu Zhang: Tsinghua University
Yue-Yuan Ma: Tsinghua University
Yina Lin: Tsinghua University
Huan Wang: Tsinghua University
Dian-Jie Li: Peking University
Tao-Ran Zheng: Tsinghua University
Fu-Qing Wu: Tsinghua University
Jian-Wen Ye: Tsinghua University
Guo-Qiang Chen: Tsinghua University

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Genetically programmed circuits allowing bifunctional dynamic regulation of enzyme expression have far-reaching significances for various bio-manufactural purposes. However, building a bio-switch with a post log-phase response and reversibility during scale-up bioprocesses is still a challenge in metabolic engineering due to the lack of robustness. Here, we report a robust thermosensitive bio-switch that enables stringent bidirectional control of gene expression over time and levels in living cells. Based on the bio-switch, we obtain tree ring-like colonies with spatially distributed patterns and transformer cells shifting among spherical-, rod- and fiber-shapes of the engineered Escherichia coli. Moreover, fed-batch fermentations of recombinant E. coli are conducted to obtain ordered assembly of tailor-made biopolymers polyhydroxyalkanoates including diblock- and random-copolymer, composed of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 4-hydroxybutyrate with controllable monomer molar fraction. This study demonstrates the possibility of well-organized, chemosynthesis-like block polymerization on a molecular scale by reprogrammed microbes, exemplifying the versatility of thermo-response control for various practical uses.

Date: 2021
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-21654-x Abstract (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-21654-x

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21654-x

Access Statistics for this article

Nature Communications is currently edited by Nathalie Le Bot, Enda Bergin and Fiona Gillespie

More articles in Nature Communications from Nature
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().