Team:ETH Zurich/expresults/qs
From 2014.igem.org
Quorum Sensing
For our Mosiacoli project, we were looking for molecular systems that allow orthogonal cell-to-cell communication in order to implement connected XOR logic gates. We decided to exploit the quorum sensing systems LuxI/LuxR, LasI/LasR, and RhlI/RhlR in order to achieve the required orthogonal cell-to-cell communication. Even though the corresponding inducer molecules are commercially available and the systems often used, in particular in iGEM projects (e.g. [http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_R0062 pLux (BBa_R0062)], '[http://parts.igem.org/Frequently_Used_Parts Top 10 Most used promoters]' with 246 uses), potential crosstalk activity between the different systems may be a severe problem (e. g. Tokyo_Tech 2013, Peking University 2011).
In order to address that challenge, we measured a) a given promoter with its corresponding regulator and a different inducer molecule, b) a given promoter with an unspecific regulator and a particular inducer, c) a given promoter with both regulator and inducer being unspecific, and always included the correct combination of inducer molecule, regulator and promoter as a positive control. This gives in total 27 possible combinations. The output was assessed via sfGFP and measured in terms of fluorescence on microtiter-plate scale.
Summary of experimental results regarding quorum sensing
The following matrices serve as on overview summarizing the results of our experiments to characterize crosstalk on different levels. On the horizontal top row we see the three different inducer molecules (3OC12-HSL, 3OC6-HSL, C4-HSL). On the vertical axis we see the three regulators (LuxR, LasR, RhlR). These matrices aim at giving an overview of the experimental results conducted in relation with quorum sensing and crosstalk. The graph shown in each matrix on the very top left describes the situation where the correct autoinducer molecule has bound the corresponding regulator and this complex has then induced the correct promoter. The solid lines in the graphs show the model data whereas the data points indicated with standard deviation show experimental data.
The promoter of interest of the experiments summarized in this matrix is pLas.
The graph on top left corner shows the induction of pLux by 3OC12-HSL binding the corresponding LasR. The red line shows the model whereas the cross shown in red represent the experimental data. The transition can be observed at a concentration of Las-AHL of about 5 nM.
For C4-HSL binding the three regulators LasR, LuxR and RhlR and then the pLas no crosstalk can be observed. Also 3OC6-HSL binding RhlR does not induce the pLas. For the binding of 3OC12-HSL to RhlR a negligible increase of fluorescence can be observed. The same can be observed for 3OC12-HSL binding to the LuxR as this combination is to a small degree inducing pLas.
The interesting case of crosstalk when observing pLas is shown in the graph in the center of the matrix. It is clearly shown that 3OC6-HSL (Lux-AHL) binding to the corresponding LuxR regulator is able to induce pLas to fluorescence values of about 250 AU. This is the phenomenon of severe crosstalk as the induction of pLas by the corresponding inducer and regulator molecule is nearly on the same level measured by fluorescence as induction by Lux-AHL binding the LuxR and subsequently pLas.
Conclusion of crosstalk experiments
As shown in the graphs in the matrices above, we found and quantitatively characterized all three levels of crosstalk described previously. Unspecific inducer binding to the regulators as well as unspecific binding of the regulator to the promoter occurred in almost all possible combinations. To conclude, we were not able to find an orthogonal quorum sensing pair due to inevitable crosstalk between the systems employing LuxI/LuxR, LasI/LasR, or RhlI/RhlR.