Accession Number:

AD1031730

Title:

Engineering Bacterial Thiosulfate and Tetrathionate Sensors for Detecting Gut Inflammation

Descriptive Note:

Journal Article

Corporate Author:

Rice University Houston United States

Personal Author(s):

• Daeffler,Kristina N.
• Galley,Jeffrey D.
• Sheth,Ravi U.
• Ortiz-Velez,Laura C.
• Bibb,Christopher O.
• Shroyer,Noah F.
• Britton,Robert A.
• Tabor,Jeffrey J.

Report Date:

2017-04-03

Pagination or Media Count:

13.0

Abstract:

There is a groundswell of interest in using genetically engineered sensor bacteria to study gut microbiota pathways, and diagnose or treat associated diseases. Here, we computationally identify the first biological thiosulfate sensor and an improved tetrathionate sensor, both two-component systems from marine Shewanella species, and validate them in laboratory Escherichia coli. Then, we port these sensors into a gut-adapted probiotic E. coli strain, and develop a method based upon oral gavage and flow cytometry of colon and fecal samples to demonstrate that colon inflammation colitis activates the thiosulfate sensor in mice harboring native gut microbiota. Our thiosulfate sensor may have applications in bacterial diagnostics or therapeutics. Finally, our approach can be replicated for a wide range of bacterial sensors and should thus enable a new class of minimally invasive studies of gut microbiota pathways.

Descriptors:

• bacteria
• Inflammation
• Thiosulfates
• gastrointestinal tract

Subject Categories:

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE