Monday 30 January 2012

Gene expression of the lac operon using IPTG

Purpose:

To show how genes can be regulated by using the lac operon as an example.

Materials:

BL21 (DE3) + egfp (un-induced)
3 agar plates with Kanamycin
0.5 mM IPTG

Methods:
Plate 2 kanamycin plates with un-induced BL21(DE3) + egfp.
Label plates no IPTG and IPTG
Place in 37°C incubator overnight
To turn gene on for expression
Plate 1: Do not add anything
Plate 2: Using a sterile pipette tip, add 8 µL 0.5 mM IPTG per colony.
Allow IPTG to soak in
Incubate at 37°C overnight
Place the plate under UV light to see bacteria glow.
Calculation: To make 0.5 mM IPTG, mix 50 µL 1.0 M IPTG + 50 µL LB broth
This would be a cool extension of this lab that might be more relatable to the students.

Lab by Ingrid Coulson,
9th grade Honors Biology teacher
Broughton High School, Raleigh, NC

What is IPTG Inducers?

IPTG is the shortened denotation of Isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside, which is a reagent utilized in molecular biology. This substance is substituted to mimic, since it is the molecular analogue of allolactose, which is a lactose metabolite that triggers lac operon transcription. In allolactose, which triggers about lac operon transcription, the sulfur atom in IPTG results in a non-hydrolysable chemical bond, thus preventing the degradation of the inductant by the cell, which means that the IPTG concentration remains same. Normally, to begin induction, a sterile 1M solution of IPTG is added after 1:1000 dilutions into a bacterial culture that has logarithmic growth. Variety of bigger concentrations can be used if required in any way.

IPTG operates inducing the transcription of the gene which codes for beta-galactosidase, which is a hydrolase enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of β-galactosides into monosaccharides. In vivo studies have shown IPTG to have the considerable advantage of not being metabolized by E. coli concentration. IPTG consumption stays independent in terms of action on lactose permease is concerned, because there are other pathways involved. It binds with the repressor and inactivates it. However, IPTG is not a substrate for galactosidase no matter the reason.

Cloning experiments have used a recombinant plasmid that a non-recombinant variety will need to be recognized and securely processed. X-gal is surely an organic compound with a galactose connected to a substituted indole and is used to identify whether a cell is expressing the β-galactosidase enzyme, which is encoded by the lacZ gene, in a technique called blue/white screening. X-gal is cleaved by  β-galactosidase to yield galactose and 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-hydroxyindole, which is oxidized into 5, 5-dibromo-4, 4-dichloro-indigo - an insoluble product that gives the blue color in the screening.

Hence, if X-gal and a β-galactosidase like IPTG are contained within an agar medium on a culture plate, colonies with functional lacZ gene can be distinguished easily since the cells expressing β-galactosidase grown in the presence of X-gal and IPTG that acts as an inducer for the expression will turn blue. Should a DNA fragment be inserted into the LacZ gene that codes for  β-galactosidase , there ont be any action upon X-gal and thus, the cells do not turn blue, which helps in identifying the cells that carry the recombinant plasmid instead of the non-recombinant variety. Many regulatory aspects of lac operon are being used in inducible recombinant protein systems, which makes IPTG invaluable for relevant procedures as such mentioned.


Author Resource:->  The IPTG inducer is a rather effective agent. The major advantage of IPTG remains at a constant concentration since E. coli cannot metabolize it as shown in vivo studies, thus the rate of expression of lac p/o controlled genes remains as a constant in the experiment.

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IPTG inducer Research & Benefits of IPTG Research

An iptg inducer is something which is being researched by the people at Plant Media. With scientific breakthroughs, developments like this might eventually be able to make gardening a much easier task for people around the world.
While some people think that growing a seedling is as simple as planting a seed in the ground and dumping water on it occasionally, it is not always this simple. There are many problems out there facing plants, and it is not always easy to get a seedling to mature into an actual tree or other type of plant. Different bacteria exist which can devastate a young plant quickly, and new developments may be forming to help reduce the number of problematic occurrences like this.
Botany experts stress that a proper environment is essential whenever you are gardening. Choosing the right plants for a particular setting can determine whether or not your garden will grow successfully. Some people are eager to attempt growing things which are not suited for their climate, and this can result in failed gardening experiences. Introducing foreign seedlings into certain areas could also bring bacteria and other problems into that region, and this can cause a whole range of problems for local gardeners.
Since Plant Media has been doing a tremendous amount of iptg research to help control common infections which certain plants are susceptible to, there has been some advancement in the world of gardening in general. Through the use of an iptg  inducer, it is thought that any type of iptg addition can reduce the time it takes for plants to fight infectious bacteria reproducing within it.
While plant cells are typically able to ward off bacteria relatively easily due to their cell walls, there are a few strains of infectious organisms which are capable of breaching the defenses of many plant species. This is one of the fundamental reasons why iptg research is important to the world.