Automated design of synthetic ribosome binding sites to control protein expression

Howard M. Salis, Ethan A. Mirsky, Christopher A. Voigt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1432 Scopus citations

Abstract

Microbial engineering often requires fine control over protein expressionfor example, to connect genetic circuits or control flux through a metabolic pathway. To circumvent the need for trial and error optimization, we developed a predictive method for designing synthetic ribosome binding sites, enabling a rational control over the protein expression level. Experimental validation of 100 predictions in Escherichia coli showed that the method is accurate to within a factor of 2.3 over a range of 100,000-fold. The design method also correctly predicted that reusing identical ribosome binding site sequences in different genetic contexts can result in different protein expression levels. We demonstrate the method's utility by rationally optimizing protein expression to connect a genetic sensor to a synthetic circuit. The proposed forward engineering approach should accelerate the construction and systematic optimization of large genetic systems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)946-950
Number of pages5
JournalNature Biotechnology
Volume27
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2009

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biotechnology
  • Bioengineering
  • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Biomedical Engineering

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