Once constructed, we needed a way to test the cytoplasm and periplasmic stress promoters in order to characterize them. We did this in three different ways.

1. Testing with known folding and misfolding proteins
   
2. Testing with NlpE, an outer membrane lipoprotein known to activate the Cpx regulon
   
3. Testing with varying temperature conditions
   

Testing with known folding and misfolding proteins

First, it was necessary to identify proteins that are known successful folders and known non-folders in E. coli. Maltose binding protein was selected for this purpose. Wild type maltose binding protein (MalE) is transporter protein that is shuttled to the periplasmic space of E.coli and known to fold extremely well there. We chose a mutant form of maltose binding protein, MalE31, that does not fold in the periplasm due to two amino acid substitutions in positions 33 and 34. In addition to this periplasmic mutant, another mutant form of MalE was found, with the signal sequence required for transport to the periplasmic space deleted. The MalEΔSS folds extremely well in the cytoplasm regardless of the deletion. MalE31 with its signal sequence removed is a non folder in the cytoplasm. Thus, we have four proteins covering folding and non-folding in both the periplasm and the cytoplasm.

The wild type MalE as well as the mutant versions were received from the Betton lab in France. These parts were Biobricked, but prior to testing the selected stress reporter circuits with these parts, it was necessary to test these MalE variations to ensure that they were functional and matched literature data. To do this, we transformed them into strains of cells containing cpxR and degP promoters upstream of a lacZ rpeorter (Raivio labs). We would expect malE31, if it misfolded, to activate the cpxR and degP stress promoters, thus providing a blue output from lacZ. MalE, on the other hand, is expected to fold properly, thus not activating these promoters, and produce any lacZ activity. These assays allowed us to conclude that MalE and MalE31 work the way that we expected them to. See results on our characterization page.

Once malE and malE31 were shown to be functional, we then used them to test out the stress promoters. We did this by making competent cells containing our reporeter circuits. We then transofmed in exprressio constructs for our malE and mutant malE proteins. We then measured fluorescence output from our reporter constructs. See resuts for this on our characterization opage.

Testing with NLPE

NLPE is an outer membrane lipoprotein that literature has shown actibates the cpX pathway. We transformed expression costructs for this protien (obtained from the Rvaio lab) into competent cells containing our cpxR reporter and looked for fluoresecnt output. Results for this experiment can be viewed on our characyerization page.

Testing with Varying Temperature Conditions

Finally we tested the cpxR promoter