Design and application of a biosensor for monitoring toxicity of compoundsto eukaryotes

Citation
Rp. Hollis et al., Design and application of a biosensor for monitoring toxicity of compoundsto eukaryotes, APPL ENVIR, 66(4), 2000, pp. 1676-1679
Citations number
19
Categorie Soggetti
Biology,Microbiology
Journal title
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
ISSN journal
00992240 → ACNP
Volume
66
Issue
4
Year of publication
2000
Pages
1676 - 1679
Database
ISI
SICI code
0099-2240(200004)66:4<1676:DAAOAB>2.0.ZU;2-O
Abstract
Here we describe an alternative approach to currently used cytotoxicity ana lyses through applying eukaryotic microbial biosensors. The yeast Saccharom yces cererisiae was genetically modified to express firefly luciferase, gen erating a bioluminescent yeast strain, The presence of any toxic chemical t hat interfered with the cells' metabolism resulted in a quantitative decrea se in bioluminescence. In this study, it was demonstrated that the Luminesc ent yeast strain senses chemicals known to be toxic to eukaryotes in sample s assessed as nontoxic by prokaryotic biosensors. As the cell wall and adap tive mechanisms of S. cerevisiae cells enhance stability and protect from e xtremes of pH, solvent exposure, and osmotic shock, these inherent properti es were exploited to generate a biosensor that should detect a wide range o f both organic and inorganic toxins under extreme conditions.