Team:NCTU Formosa/CSP data

Carotenoid Pathway

Methods

The upper strand of the Carotenoid pathway circuit BBa_K539151 is composed of (1) crtEBI BBa_K346090 that can produce Lycopene, (2) 37℃induced RBS BBa_K115002, (3) crtY BBa_K118008 that can produce beta-Carotene, and (4) Terminator BBa_J61048. When we assembled the upper strand, we found a point mutation of BBa_K118008 (iGEM08_Edinburgh) at SpeI site and we corrected it successfully.(ACCTAGT->ACTAGT). This corrected part is numbered as BBa_K539119.

The down stand BBa_K539281 is composed of (1) Heat sensitive cI promoter with repressor BBa_K098995, (2) crtZ BBa_I742158 that can produce Zeaxanthin, and (3) Terminator BBa_J61048.

After both of the strands were constructed, we transferred the assembled insert BBa_K539151 from originally backbone(psb1k3) to psb3T5. The reason why we change the backbone is that the psb3T5 with low-copy-numbers is better for E.coli to express proteins. For the same reason, we transferred the complete insert BBa_K539281 from originally backbone (psb1k3) to psb4A5. (We chose different antibiotic backbone from the upper strand in order to cotransform.) Finally, we cotransformed BBa_K539151 on psb3T5 and BBa_K539281 on psb4A5 into DH5α.

To test the circuit whether it can work or not, we incubate the modified E.coli in different temperatures and extract the pigments.

1. 30℃: It is supposed to express only CrtEBI and produce Lycopene and show red color.
2. 37℃: It is supposed to express CrtEBI and CrtY. Produce beta-Carotene and show orange color.
3. 42℃: It is supposed to express CrtEBI, CrtY and CrtZ. Produce Zeaxanthin and show yellow color.

Experiment methods

1. The cells were cultured in LB over night.
2. Transferred 200ul LB to fresh 200ml LB and incubated at 37°C.
3. After 8 hrs, when OD ( optical density) reaches 0.1, then switch the temperature to 30°C, 37°C, 42°C respectively and incubate for 24hrs.
4. Centrifuged at 4°C, 6000rpm. The pellets were added with 1 ml ddH20 and vortexed.
5. Moved into 1.5ml eppendorf. Centrifuged for 20minutes at 4°C, 14000rpm.
6. Added with 500ul acetone, and vortexed for 1hr to extract the pigments.

Data

1. A close-up of 30°C incubated E.coli .Expressing CrtE, CrtB and CrtI and so to produce Lycopene.
2. In addition to express CrtE,CrtB and CrtI,37°C cultured E.coli expresses CrtY so that beta-Carotene is present.
3. Furthermore, E.coli that cultured in 42°C expresses CrtE, CrtB , CrtI,CrtY and the high-temperature regulated gene , CrtZ . Zeaxanthin is prodused.

In order to decrease the interruption caused by the color of E.coli itself, we should extract the pigment with organic solvent since the three pigments are hydrophobic. So Acetone is added and vortexed to form a homogeneous colored solution.

1. Here shows color of 30°C cultured E.coli , and corresponds to the pigment, Lycopene.
2. Here shows color of 37°C cultured E.coli, and correspond to the pigment, beta-Carotene.
3. Here shows color of 42°C cultured E.coli, and correspond to the pigment, Zeaxanthin.

1. Photo of the three eppendorfs based on a white background.
2. Photo of the three eppendorfs based on a black background.

Comment

Our circuits for carotenoid pathway work as expected.As we can see above,Lycopene is produced at 30°C , beta-carotene is present at 37°C and Zeaxanthine is produced at 42°C. The results of Carotenoid synthesis Pathway display different colors in different steps, that verify our concept of Pathway Commander perfectly.