Specific detection of the pesticide chlorpyrifos by a sensitive genetic-based whole cell biosensor

Anal Biochem. 2016 Jan 15:493:11-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ab.2015.09.022. Epub 2015 Oct 8.

Abstract

The Sinorhizobium meliloti chpA promoter is highly induced in the presence of the pesticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) through the action of the transcriptional activator, ChpR. A whole-cell biosensor for the detection of CPF was developed and is composed of an Escherichia coli strain carrying a chpR expression vector and a chpA promoter-atsBA transcriptional fusion plasmid encoding sulfatase (atsA) and formylglycine generating enzyme (atsB) from Klebsiella sp. The sulfatase is posttranslationally activated by formylglycine generating enzyme (FGE) and then converts 4-methylumbelliferyl sulfate (4-MUS) to the fluorescent product, 4-methyllumbelliferone (4-MU). This biosensor system exhibited a linear response range from 25 to 500 nM CPF.

Keywords: Aldehyde tag; Biosensor; Gene expression; Pesticide detection; Transcription factor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Chlorpyrifos / analysis*
  • Chlorpyrifos / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / drug effects*
  • Klebsiella / genetics
  • Pesticides / analysis*
  • Pesticides / metabolism
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / drug effects
  • Sinorhizobium meliloti / genetics*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Pesticides
  • Chlorpyrifos