title: Aequorin-expressing yeast emits light under electric control.
abstract: In this study, we show the use of direct external electrical stimulation of a jellyfish luminescent calcium-activated protein, aequorin, expressed in a transgenic yeast strain. Yeast cultures were electrically stimulated through two electrodes coupled to a standard power generator. Even low (1.5 V) electric pulses triggered a rapid light peak and serial light pulses were obtained after electric pulses were applied periodically, suggesting that the system is re-enacted after a short refraction time. These results open up a new scenario, in the very interphase between synthetic biology and cybernetics, in which complex cellular behavior might be subjected to electrical control.
authors.affiliation: Institut Cavanilles de Biodiversitat i Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat de València, Postal Code 22085, 46071 València, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vilanova
authors.forename: Angeles
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hueso
authors.forename: Carles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palanca
authors.forename: Guillem
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marco
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pitarch
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Otero
authors.forename: Juny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crespo
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Szablowski
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Domínguez-Escribà
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Navarro
authors.forename: Arnau
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Montagud
authors.forename: Pedro Fernández
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: de Córdoba
authors.forename: Asier
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Joaquín
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ariño
authors.forename: Andrés
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moya
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Urchueguía
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Porcar
mesh_terms: D000331:Aequorin / Q000378:metabolism*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004560:Electricity; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008027:Light; D017680:Potassium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006878:Hydroxides; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D000331:Aequorin; C029943:potassium hydroxide