To achieve optimal expression of the Lux operon in E.coli, we had the operon re-synthesized after optimising the usage of codons. This conserves the sequence of amino acids in the gene products, but improves the rate of translation, as more common tRNAs are recruited. Changing the coding DNA sequence also meant changing the curvature of the DNA, which affects the binding affinity of H-NS proteins.

Improved translational speed

Starting with the DNA sequence of the Vibrio fischeri lux operon found on the NCBI database, we used a number of tools to replace the codons used with the most common codons found in the E.coli genome.

Altered G-C content

DNA curvature is increased by sequences rich in A-T or G-C pairs. The natural V.fischeri Lux operon, and especially its intergenic regions, contains stretches rich in A-T, resulting in the curvature that H-NS proteins bind to preferentially. To alleviate the repression that H-NS exerts, we took care to raise the G-C content of intergenic regions and coding sequences (at times resorting to suboptimal codons). According to a computational prediction, this resulted in greatly reduced DNA curvature, and thus hopefully to a reduced affinity for H-NS proteins.

Differential Expression

In Vibrio fischeri, LuxA and B are expressed at five times the levels of LuxC, D, E and G. Since all these genes are transcribed on the same mRNA, but have their own Ribosome Binding Sites, this is probably due to differences in codon usage. A number of rare codons are found in Lux C, D, E and G, but not in LuxA and B. Since we did not receive the newly synthesised LuxA and B in time, we constructed a new operon using our LuxC, D, E and G, and the LuxAB BioBrick that was put into the registry by the Edinburgh iGEM team 2009 (BBa_216008). These genes originate from Xenorhabdus luminescens. Compared to Vibrio fischeri, there is only limited amino acid identity in the Lux A and B genes (52% and 66% respectively). Yet the literature describes both as using the same substrates. To use foreign genes from two very different donor species in one pathway in E.coli is an exciting test of our understanding of the processes involved in bacterial bioluminescence and of the power of synthetic biology in general. In this construct, LuxC, D, E and G are codon optimised, but LuxA and B are not. In order to adjust the ratio of gene expression between these genes to the state found in nature, we chose to put LuxA and B under a very strong, phage derived promoter (plambda) to be constitutively expressed. The other genes can now be put under any promoter to create a PoPS-to-light device. In conjunction with an inducible or repressible promoter, this could be used as a reporter device. To test the system, we placed the LuxCDEG under an arabinose induced pbad promoter (BBa_i0500).