Abstract
Background: The study of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in microbial communities has been revolutionized by advances in cultivation-independent methods based on fluorescence reporter-gene technologies. However, the use of fluorescent markers like green fluorescent protein (GFP) and mCherry is limited by environmental constraints that affect the correct maturation of their fluorophores, such as oxygen availability and pH levels. Few studies have focused on elucidating their impact, and the sheer amount of distinct protein variants requires each system to be examined in an individual fashion. The wealth of ecologically and clinically relevant oxygen-deprived micro-habitats in which bacteria thrive, calls for the urgent development of suitable tools that permit their study.
Objectives: Development of an aerobic fluorescence recovery method for mCherry and GFPmut3, as well as characterisation of the impact the pH has on their fluorescence intensities. Validation of the dual-labelling system for the study of HGT in anoxic milieus.
Methods: The time-course fluorescent recovery of mCherry and GFPmut3 in vivo, as well as the effect of the extracellular pH on fluorescence was monitored through flow cytometry. The applicability of the findings was validated in anaerobic filter mating experiments.
Conclusions: The findings present a solution to an intrinsic problem that has long hampered the utilization of this system to study HGT in environments devoid of oxygen, highlight its pH limitations, and provide the experimental tools that will help broaden its horizon of application to other fields.
Objectives: Development of an aerobic fluorescence recovery method for mCherry and GFPmut3, as well as characterisation of the impact the pH has on their fluorescence intensities. Validation of the dual-labelling system for the study of HGT in anoxic milieus.
Methods: The time-course fluorescent recovery of mCherry and GFPmut3 in vivo, as well as the effect of the extracellular pH on fluorescence was monitored through flow cytometry. The applicability of the findings was validated in anaerobic filter mating experiments.
Conclusions: The findings present a solution to an intrinsic problem that has long hampered the utilization of this system to study HGT in environments devoid of oxygen, highlight its pH limitations, and provide the experimental tools that will help broaden its horizon of application to other fields.
Originalsprog | Engelsk |
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Publikationsdato | 1 jun. 2017 |
Status | Udgivet - 1 jun. 2017 |
Begivenhed | FEMS 2017: 7th Congress of European Microbiologists - Spain, Valencia, Spanien Varighed: 9 jul. 2017 → 13 jul. 2017 http://www.fems-microbiology2017.kenes.com/ |
Konference
Konference | FEMS 2017 |
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Lokation | Spain |
Land/Område | Spanien |
By | Valencia |
Periode | 09/07/17 → 13/07/17 |
Internetadresse |