Summary
A series of plasmid vectors have been developed which allows control of recombinant gene expression by altering the pH of the growth medium. Expression is controlled by the regulatory region of thecadA gene ofE. coli. Experiments using β-galactosidase as the expressed gene have resulted in an induced expression of up to 60-fold when the pH of the growth medium is lowered from pH 7 to 5.5. Expression can also be induced by switching from aerobic to anaerobic growth environment. The pH and anaerobic effects are additive boosting the expression level of β-galactosidase to a dramatic value of 200 fold. Finally, the pH-induction effect is fully reversible, a unique property which allows continuous control of gene expression using exiting pH monitoring and control equipment.
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Tolentino, G.J., Meng, SY., Bennett, G.N. et al. A pH-regulated promoter for the expression of recombinant proteins inEscherichia coli . Biotechnol Lett 14, 157–162 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01023351
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01023351