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Co-expression of bacterial hemoglobin overrides high glucose-induced repression of foreign protein expression in Escherichia coli W3110

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Abstract

Co-expression of Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb) can enhance production of foreign proteins in several microorganisms, including Escherichia coli. Production of foreign proteins [green fluorescent protein (GFP) and organophosphorous hydrolase (OPH)] has been examined in two typical industrial E. coli strains, W3110 (a K12 derivative) and BL21 (a B derivative). In particular, we investigated the effects of VHb co-expression and media glucose concentration on target protein production. We employed the nar O2-dependent promoter for self-tuning of VHb expression based on the natural changes in dissolved O2 levels over the duration of culture. Foreign protein production in strain BL21 was decreased by a high glucose concentration but co-expression of VHb had no effect on this. In contrast, co-expression of VHb in strain W3110 overrode the glucose-induced repression and resulted in steady expression of foreign proteins.

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Kim, Y.K., Kang, D.G., Choi, SS. et al. Co-expression of bacterial hemoglobin overrides high glucose-induced repression of foreign protein expression in Escherichia coli W3110. Biotechnology Letters 26, 1173–1178 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BILE.0000035491.64912.84

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BILE.0000035491.64912.84

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