Abstract
In this paper, we investigated the intra-species bacterial quorum sensing at the single cell level using a double droplet trapping system. Escherichia coli transformed to express the quorum sensing receptor protein, LasR, were encapsulated in microdroplets that were positioned adjacent to microdroplets containing the autoinducer, N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (OdDHL). Functional activation of the LasR protein by diffusion of the OdDHL across the droplet interface was measured by monitoring the expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) from a LasR-dependent promoter. A threshold concentration of OdDHL was found to induce production of quorum-sensing associated GFP by E. coli. Additionally, we demonstrated that LasR-dependent activation of GFP expression was also initiated when the adjacent droplets contained single E. coli transformed with the OdDHL synthase gene, LasI, representing a simple quorum sensing circuit between two droplets.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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4-Butyrolactone / analogs & derivatives
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4-Butyrolactone / metabolism
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Bacterial Proteins / genetics
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Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
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Escherichia coli / cytology
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Escherichia coli / genetics
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Escherichia coli / metabolism*
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Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
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Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
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Homoserine / analogs & derivatives
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Homoserine / metabolism
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Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / instrumentation
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Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / methods*
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Microscopy, Fluorescence
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Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
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Quorum Sensing*
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Single-Cell Analysis / instrumentation
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Single-Cell Analysis / methods*
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Trans-Activators / genetics
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Trans-Activators / metabolism
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Transformation, Genetic
Substances
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Bacterial Proteins
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LasI protein, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
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LasR protein, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
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N-(3-oxododecanoyl)homoserine lactone
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Trans-Activators
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Green Fluorescent Proteins
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Homoserine
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4-Butyrolactone