Study on the effects of terahertz radiation on gene networks of Escherichia coli by means of fluorescent biosensors

Abstract

Three novel fluorescent biosensors sensitive to terahertz (THz) radiation were developed via transformation of Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) cells with plasmids, in which a promotor of genes matA , safA , or chbB controls the expression of a fluorescent protein. The biosensors were exposed to THz radiation from two sources: a high-intensity pulsed short-wave free electron laser and a low-intensity continuous long-wave IMPATT-diode-based device. The threshold and dynamics of fluorescence were found to depend on radiation parameters and exposure time. Heat shock or chemical stress yielded the absence of fluorescence induction. The biosensors are evaluated to be suitable for studying influence of THz radiation on the activity of gene networks related with considered gene promoters.