Skip to main content

In Vivo and In Vitro Characterization of σ 70 Constitutive Promoters by Real-Time PCR and Fluorescent Measurements

  • Protocol
  • First Online:
Synthetic Biology

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1073))

Abstract

The characterization of DNA regulatory elements such as ribosome binding sites and transcriptional promoters is a fundamental aim of synthetic biology. Characterization of such DNA regulatory elements by monitoring the synthesis of fluorescent proteins is a commonly used technique to resolve the relative or absolute strengths. These measurements can be used in combination with mathematical models and computer simulation to rapidly assess performance of DNA regulatory elements both in isolation and in combination, to assist predictable and efficient engineering of complex novel biological devices and systems.

Here we describe the construction and relative characterization of Escherichia coli (E. coli) σ70 transcriptional promoters by monitoring the synthesis of green fluorescent protein (GFP) both in vivo in E. coli and in vitro in a E. coli cell-free transcription and translation reaction.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Protocol
USD 49.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Endy D (2005) Foundations for engineering biology. Nature 438:449–453

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Arkin A (2008) Setting the standard in synthetic biology. Nat Biotechnol 26:771–774

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Martin L, Che A, Endy D (2009) Gemini, a bifunctional enzymatic and fluorescent reporter of gene expression. PLoS One 4:e7569

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Canton B, Labno A, Endy D (2008) Refinement and standardization of synthetic biological parts and devices. Nat Biotechnol 26:787–793

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Kelly JR, Rubin AJ et al (2009) Measuring the activity of BioBrick promoters using an in vivo reference standard. J Biol Eng 3:4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Goldman SR, Ebright RH, Nickels BE (2009) Direct detection of abortive RNA transcripts in vivo. Science 324:927–928

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Patwardhan RP, Lee C et al (2009) High-resolution analysis of DNA regulatory elements by synthetic saturation mutagenesis. Nat Biotechnol 27:1173–1175

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Chappell J, Jensen K, Freemont PS (2013) Validation of an entirely in vitro approach for rapid prototyping of DNA regulatory elements for synthetic biology. Nucleic Acids Res 41:3471–3483

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Gulati S, Rouilly V et al (2009) Opportunities for microfluidic technologies in synthetic biology. J R Soc Interface 6(Suppl 4):S493–S506

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Schmittgen TD, Livak KJ (2008) Analyzing real-time PCR data by the comparative C(T) method. Nat Protoc 3:1101–1108

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Kim TW, Keum JW et al (2006) Simple procedures for the construction of a robust and cost-effective cell-free protein synthesis system. J Biotechnol 126:554–561

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media, New York

About this protocol

Cite this protocol

Chappell, J., Freemont, P. (2013). In Vivo and In Vitro Characterization of σ 70 Constitutive Promoters by Real-Time PCR and Fluorescent Measurements. In: Polizzi, K., Kontoravdi, C. (eds) Synthetic Biology. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1073. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-625-2_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-625-2_7

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-624-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-625-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

Publish with us

Policies and ethics