Sivapong Sungpradit. Introduction of green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene into Burkholderia pseudomallei using conjugation technique . Master's Degree(Immunology). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2003.
Introduction of green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene into Burkholderia pseudomallei using conjugation technique
Abstract:
Burkholderia pseudomallei, a saprophytic gram negative bacillus is the causative
agent of melioidosis. Melioidosis is an infectious disease endemic in Southeast Asia and
Northern Australia. In soil isolate, there are two biotypes of this organism which are
classified by the ability to assimilate L-arabinose (Ara+ and Ara-). Little is known about
the behavior, pathogenicity and host-parasite interaction of this organism. In order to
prepare a labelling/detection system for following the bacteria in the experimental
environment or tissue sample, B. pseudomallei which intrinsically expresses a
fluorescent signal, was created by introducing a green fluorescent protein (gfp) into the
bacteria.
The gfp gene from E. coli SM10lpir/pUTgfp2 was introduced into B.
pseudomallei isolate S95019 (Ara+ biotype) using conjugation technique and selected
by the Ampicillin-Chloramphenicol-Kanamycin antibiotic media. The conjugation
efficiency is about 2.3x10-6 transconjugants per recipient cells. The transconjugant B.
pseudomallei S95019::gfp2 cells could express a fluorescent signal and the intensity
increased when the culture was left for 48 hours compared with a 24 hour culture. The
new set of primer (gfp309L, gfp649R) was designed to amplify gfp genes from the
transconjugant cells and nucleotide sequencing was performed. Multiplex PCR which
amplified 16s ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes confirmed that this organism is Ara+ B.
pseudomallei. This fluorescent B. pseudomallei S95019::gfp2 cells may be useful for
studying the behavior, pathogenicity and host-parasite interaction of this organism and in
the in vivo system.