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Use of the Escherichia coli ssb Gene to Prevent Bioreactor Takeover by Plasmidless Cells

Bio/Technology volume 8, pages 47–51 (1990)Cite this article

Abstract

Reactor takeover by plasmidless cells is a major problem encountered when producing proteins from plasmid-borne genes in genetically engineered bacteria. We have approached this problem by deleting the essential ssb gene from the Escherichia coli chromosome and placing it on a plasmid. Plasmidless cells do not accumulate even after growing such strains under non-selective continuous culture conditions for extended periods of time. Other ssb-containing plasmids can be readily introduced into this E. coli strain by a plasmid-displacement technique. Using this system, we have achieved very high levels of β-lactamase production in continuous culture without selective pressure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802

    Ronald D. Porter & Stuart Black

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802

    Sachin Pannuri & Alfred Carlson

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  1. Ronald D. Porter
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  2. Stuart Black
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  3. Sachin Pannuri
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  4. Alfred Carlson
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Porter, R., Black, S., Pannuri, S. et al. Use of the Escherichia coli ssb Gene to Prevent Bioreactor Takeover by Plasmidless Cells. Nat Biotechnol 8, 47–51 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0190-47

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