A switchable light-input, light-output system modelled and constructed in yeast.
BACKGROUND
Advances in synthetic biology will require spatio-temporal regulation of biological processes in heterologous host cells. We develop a light-switchable, two-hybrid interaction in yeast, based upon the Arabidopsis proteins PHYTOCHROME A and FAR-RED ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 1-LIKE. Light input to this regulatory module allows dynamic control of a light-emitting LUCIFERASE reporter gene, which we detect by real-time imaging of yeast colonies on solid media.


RESULTS
The reversible activation of the phytochrome by red light, and its inactivation by far-red light, is retained. We use this quantitative readout to construct a mathematical model that matches the system's behaviour and predicts the molecular targets for future manipulation.


CONCLUSIONS
Our model, methods and materials together constitute a novel system for a eukaryotic host with the potential to convert a dynamic pattern of light input into a predictable gene expression response. This system could be applied for the regulation of genetic networks - both known and synthetic.
Sorokina
Oxana
O
Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JH, UK.
Kapus
Anita
A
Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Center, Temesvari krt. 62, H-6726, Szeged, Hungary.
Terecskei
Kata
K
Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Center, Temesvari krt. 62, H-6726, Szeged, Hungary.
Dixon
Laura E
LE
Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JH, UK.|Centre for Systems Biology at Edinburgh, C.H. Waddington Building, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JD, UK.
Kozma-Bognar
Laszlo
L
Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Center, Temesvari krt. 62, H-6726, Szeged, Hungary.
Nagy
Ferenc
F
Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JH, UK.|Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Center, Temesvari krt. 62, H-6726, Szeged, Hungary.
Millar
Andrew J
AJ
Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JH, UK.|Centre for Systems Biology at Edinburgh, C.H. Waddington Building, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JD, UK.