Use of a luminescent bacterial biosensor for biomonitoring and characterization of arsenic toxicity of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)

被引:53
作者
Cai, J [1 ]
DuBow, MS [1 ]
机构
[1] MCGILL UNIV,DEPT MICROBIOL & IMMUNOL,MONTREAL,PQ H3A 2B4,CANADA
关键词
Escherichia coli; ars operon; biosensor; CCA; wood preservative; arsenic;
D O I
10.1023/A:1008281028594
中图分类号
Q81 [生物工程学(生物技术)]; Q93 [微生物学];
学科分类号
071005 ; 0836 ; 090102 ; 100705 ;
摘要
An arsenic oxyanion-inducible Escherichia coli chromosomal operon (arsRBC) has been previously identified. Construction of a luciferase transcriptional gene fusion (arsB::luxAB) showed that ars operon expression, plus concomitant cell luminescence, was inducible in a concentration-dependent manner by arsenic salts. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential of the arsB::luxAB transcriptional gene fusion for use as a biosensor in monitoring the toxicity of arsenic compounds. Cultures from this gene fusion strain were exposed to increasing concentrations of the wood preservative chromated copper arsenate (CCA), as well as its constituents, sodium arsenate and chromated copper solution (CC). Analysis of luciferase activity revealed that the arsB::luxAB gene fusion was expressed in response to CCA and sodium arsenate, but not to the CC solution. The detection limit of arsenic was found to be 0.01 mu g As/ml (10 parts per billion, 10 ppb) and therefore well within the range of environmental concerns. A greater induction of luminescence by arsenate was observed when cells were limited for phosphate, as phosphate can act as a competitive inhibitor of arsenate ions. Our results suggest that the E. coli arsB::luxAB fusion strain has a promising future as a specific and sensitive biosensor for monitoring bioavailable levels and toxicity of arsenic near sites where CCA-treated wood has been used.
引用
收藏
页码:105 / 111
页数:7
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