Types | DnaRegion
|
Roles | Regulatory
promoter
|
Sequences | BBa_K174015_sequence (Version 1)
|
Description
This Cadmium sensor has binding sites for ArsR and CzrA metal sensors. By placing them together, our device works as an AND gate and senses Cadmium when both proteins bind to Cadmium.
When Cadmium is not present both proteins bind to their relevant sites on the promoter and represses the expression of downstream genes. When Cadmium present in the environment, it binds to these repressors which then fall of from where they are bound to on the promoter. Hence the promoter becomes free to express the downstream genes as an indication of Cadmium.
This combinatorial approach enables us to filter out sensing other metals. ArsR and CzrA can bind to different metals, however when both are used as an ANd gate, they will only recognize Cadmium.
Notes
We wanted to sense Cadmium accurately and used a combinatorial approach to achieve our goal.
Source
CadA promoter which has the binding site for CzrA protein is combined with ArsR binding site to create this AND gate Cadmium sensor.