Green Fluorescent Protein II: Bacterial Transformation Objective To get some experience with recombinant DNA techniques and to genetically alter a bacterial strain to produce a particular protein. Background Note that we have not covered this material in lecture yet, so, for today, you will need to do some things without completely understanding them. Even if all the details are not clear, the big picture is based on some pretty simple extensions of the genetics you already know. As the course continues, what you have done today will be clearer. Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) is a protein produced by the jellyfish Aequoria victoria. The protein fluoresces green when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. The goal of today’s lab is to change the genes of a bacterium so that it now makes GFP and will fluoresce in UV light. In today’s lab, you will add a small DNA molecule called a plasmid to a bacterium called E. coli. These bacteria are the workhorse of modern recombinant DNA technology. The bacteria you are starting with cannot produce GFP (since the gene is normally only found in the jellyfish) and are killed by (aka “sensitive to”) the antibiotic ampicillin The plasmid you will be adding is called “pGLO” and it contains two genes: • Ampicillin Resistance – this is a gene that confers the dominant phenotype of resistance to the antibiotic ampicillin. • GFP – this is a gene that produces the GFP protein in bacteria. You will add the pGLO DNA to bacteria that have been treated to make them “competent” – that is, ready to take up DNA from the environment. However, only a very small fraction (fewer than 1 in 1,000,000) of the bacteria will take up the DNA. The bacteria that do take up the pGLO DNA now have the genes on pGLO added to their genome. They have been “transformed”. These bacteria are now resistant to ampicillin and produce GFP. We next select for the transformed bacteria by growing the cells in the presence of ampicillin. Un-transformed cells are sensitive to ampicillin and are killed. However, those that were transformed with pGLO are resistant to ampicillin and will grow. We will be growing our cells on solid medium, so a single surviving cell will give rise to a “colony” of 108 cells – a small pile of cells, all descendants of that original transformed cell. All the cells in the colony will carry pGLO and thus be ampicillin resistant and make GFP. GFP II: Transformation - 3 The genetic map of pGLO is shown below: You can see the genes for ampicillin resistance (AmpR) and GFP; each of these genes has a promoter. We will talk more about plasmids and how they work in lecture. Procedure I: Transformation WARNINGS: 1. In general, the lab is unforgiving of mistakes like using the wrong solution or taking the wrong amount. The construction folks at “This Old House”, say “Measure twice; cut once.“ We’ll adapt this to “Check twice; pipette once”. 2. Although the E. coli strain we use is non-pathogenic (it is not known to cause disease in healthy individuals), you should be careful with it. Always wear gloves, don’t eat or drink in lab, and wash your hands thoroughly when you are all done. 3. Sterile Technique: Contamination is a big problem – it’s a dirty world we live in. You should assume that all surfaces are crawling with nasty microbes. Never let any of the sterile picks, pipettes, etc touch anything except the tube, plate, solution, or colony. If you even think that you’ve touched something you shouldn’t, discard the loop, pipette, etc and get a clean one. GFP II: Transformation - 4 Note that while the figures show plastic transfer pipettes, we will be using pipetmen. Transformation Kit—Quick Guide -pGLO +pGLO 1) Label one closed micro test tube +pGLO and another -pGLO. 1. Label one closed micro test tube Transformation Label both tubes with your group’s name. Place-pGLO. them in the Kit—Quick Guide +pGLO and another 1. Label one closed micro with test tube foam tube rack. Label both tubes your -pGLO +pGLO -pGLO -pGLO -pGLO -pGLO +pGLO +pGLO +pGLO +pGLO +pGLO +pGLO +pGLO +pGLO +pGLO +pGLO +pGLO -pGLO -pGLO -pGLO +pGLO -pGLO -pGLO +pGLO +pGLO +pGLO +pGLO -pGLO +pGLO -pGLO +pGLO +pGLO +pGLO QUICK GUIDE QUICK GUIDE GUIDE QUICK GUIDE QUICK QUICK GUIDE +pGLO -pGLO +pGLO -pGLO +pGLO Transformation Kit—Quick Guide +pGLO and another -pGLO. group’s name. Place them in the Label both tubes with your tube rack. 1. group’s Labelfoam one closed micro test name. Place them in tube the +pGLO and another -pGLO. 2) Open the tubes and using P1000 set to “0 2 5”, 250 µl foam tube rack. Transformation Kit—Quick Guide Label both tubes with your transfer 250μl of transformation solution (CaCl2) into 250 µl group’s name. Place them in the each tube. 1. Label foam one closed micro test tube tube rack. +pGLO and another Transformation 2. Open the -pGLO. tubes and using a Kit—Quick Guide 250 µl Label both tubes with your sterile transfer transfer 1. Label onename. closedPlace microthem test pipet, tube group’s in the 2. Open the and using a solution 250tubes µl of-pGLO. transformation Transformation +pGLO and another foam sterile tube rack. transfer) pipet, transfer solution (CaC1 into 2 youreach tube. Label both tubes with 250 µl of transformation solution Transformation 250 µl group’s name.the Place them the a 2. (CaC1 Open tubes andinusing solution 2) into each tube. foam tube rack. sterile transfer pipet, transfer 250 µl of transformation solution Transformation 250 µl 3. Place the tubes on crushed ice. solution (CaC1 2) into each tube. 2. Open the tubes anduse using a ice. Do not cubed sterile transfer transfer 3. Place thepipet, tubes on crushed ice. 250 µlDo of not transformation solution Transformation 3) Place the tubes on ice.use Docubed not ice. use cubed ice. 2. crushed Open the)tubes and using a solution (CaC1 into each tube. Ice 2 4. Use a sterile loop to pick up a sterile3.transfer transfer Place pipet, the tubes on crushed ice. single colony of bacteria from your 250 µl ofDo transformation solution Transformation use cubed ice. Ice 4. Use not a sterile loop pickup upthe a +pGLO starter plate.toPick solution (CaC12) into each tube. single colony of immerse bacteria from yourinto the tube and the loop plate.on Pick up the +pGLO transformation solution 3. Placestarter the tubes crushed ice.at the Ice 4. tube Use and a sterile loop to pick upinto a the immerse loopSpin bottom of thethe tube. the loop Do not use cubed ice. single colony of bacteria from your transformation at the betweensolution your index finger and starter plate. Pick up the +pGLO 3. Place the tubes on until crushed ice. bottom of the tube. Spin the loop is thumb the entire colony tubecubed andyour immerse the loopand into the notabetween use ice. index finger dispersed in the transformation Ice 4.DoUse sterile loop to pick up a transformation solution at theis thumb until the entire colony (withfrom no floating chunks). single bottom colonysolution of bacteria your of in thethe tube. Spin the loop dispersed transformation tube back the tube 4) Use a sterile loop to starter pickup a Place single colony ofin plate. Pick up the +pGLO between your index finger and Ice 4. Use a sterile loop to pick up a solution (with no floating chunks). rack in the ice. Using a tube plate. and immerse the loop the new sterile bacteria from your starter Pick up theinto thumb until the entire colony is single colony of bacteria from your Place the tube back inthe the-pGLO tube tube. loop, repeat for transformation solution atthe the +pGLO tube and immerse the loop dispersed ininto the transformation starter plate. up the +pGLO rack inPick the ice. Using a new sterile DNA bottom of5.the tube. Spin the loop -pGLO Examine the pGLOchunks). plasmid solution (with no floating transformation solution at the bottom of the tube and immerse the loop into the loop, repeat for the -pGLO tube. between your index finger and solution with the UV lamp. Note Place the tubeat back in the tube transformation solution the tube. Spin the loop between your index finger thumb until the entire colony is Immerse -pGLO 5. Examine the pGLO plasmid DNA your observations. rack in the ice. Using a new sterilea new bottom of the tube. Spin the loop and thumb until the entire colony istransformation dispersed dispersed insterile the solution with the UV lamp. Note loop into-pGLO the plasmid DNA loop, repeat for the tube. your index finger and solution (with no floating chunks). a loopful. in the transformationbetween solution (with no floating your observations. Immerse new stock tube. Withdraw thumb until the entire colony is -pGLO 5. Examine the pGLO plasmid DNA Place the tube back in the tube sterile loop into the plasmid DNA There should be a film of chunks). Place the tube backsolution inthe the tube rack in Noteplasmid dispersed in transformation with the UV lamp. rack instock the ice. Using a newathe sterile tube. Withdraw loopful. solution across ring. This is the ice. Using a new sterile loop, repeat for the - a new solution (with no chunks). your observations. Immerse loop, repeat forfloating the to -pGLO tube. similar seeing a soapy film There should be a film of plasmid Place the tube loop backinto in the pGLO tube. sterile thetube plasmid across aplasmid ring for DNA blowing solution across the ring. ThisDNA is soap -pGLO 5.rack Examine the pGLO in the ice.tube. UsingWithdraw a new sterile stock aloopful loopful. bubbles. Mix the similar to seeing a soapy film into the cell solution with the UV lamp. Note loop, repeat forshould the -pGLO tube.of plasmid There beblowing aoffilm suspension the across a ring Immerse for soap tube. your observations. a +pGLO new solution across the ring. This -pGLO 5. Examine the pGLO plasmid DNA Optionally, pipet 10 µlthe ofispGLO Mix the loopful into cell sterilebubbles. loop into the plasmid DNA plasmid DNA similar toUV seeing a+pGLO soapy film solution with the lamp. Note plasmid into the +pGLO tube and suspension of the tube. -pGLO stock tube. DNA Withdraw a loopful. 5) Examine the pGLOyour plasmid solution acrossmix. a ring forthe blowing soap observations. Immerse a of new Close -pGLO tube and return Optionally, pipet 10 µl pGLO There should be a film of plasmid with the UV lamp. Note your observations. plasmid DNA bubbles. Mix the loopful into cell sterile loop into plasmid DNA itthe to the rack on ice. Dothe not add plasmid into the +pGLO and -pGLO solution across the ring. This istube suspension of the +pGLO tube. stock tube. Withdraw a loopful. Using a pipettor, put 10μl of plasmid DNA film to theand -pGLO mix. Close the -pGLO tube returntube. similar topGLO seeing aplasmid soapy pipet 10 µl of should be film of plasmid Why not? Close thepGLO -pGLGO tube plasmid DNA itOptionally, to the rack on ice. Do not add into the +pGLO tube There and mix. Close the +pGLO across a ring fora blowing soap plasmid into the +pGLO tube andice. -pGLO solution across the ring. This is and return it to the rack on plasmid DNA to the -pGLO tube. bubbles. Mix the loopful into the cell tube and return it to the rack on ice. Do not add mix. Close the -pGLO tube and return similar to seeing a soapy film Why not? Close the -pGLGO tube 6. Incubate the tubes on ice for suspension of the +pGLO tube. plasmid DNA to the -pGLO tube. Why not? itring to the rack onthe ice. Do on notice. add across aand for return it10 to rack 10blowing min. Make sure to push the Optionally, pipet µl ofsoap pGLO plasmid DNA tointo the -pGLO tube. Close the -pGLGO tube and return it to the rack bubbles. Mix the loopful the cell Rack Ice all thetube way down plasmid intotubes thethe +pGLO and 6. Incubate tubes on ice for in the plasmid DNA -pGLO Why not? Close the -pGLGO tube suspension of the +pGLO tube. on ice. so the ofthe the tubes mix. Close therack -pGLO tubebottom and return 10 min. Make sure to push andpipet return itµltoofthe rack on ice. Optionally, pGLO Rack Ice stick out make with it to the rackall on10 ice. Doand not addin contact tubes the way down the 18 plasmid DNA GFP II: Transformation plasmid into the +pGLO tube and 6. rack Incubate the tubes on icetubes for - 5 -pGLO the ice. plasmid DNA to the -pGLO tube. so the bottom of the mix. Close -pGLO tube andcontact 10the min. Make sure toreturn push the Why not? Close the -pGLGO tubewith stick out and make 18 Rack Ice it to thereturn rack on ice. Do noton add tubes all the way down and it to the rack ice. in the the ice. plasmid DNA to the -pGLO tube. rack so the bottom of the tubes 6.Why Incubate the tubes on ice for not? Close tube with stick outthe and-pGLGO make contact 18 10 min. Make sure push and return to the racktoon ice.the theit ice. +pGLO across a ring for blowing soap bubbles. Mix the loopful into the cell suspension of the +pGLO tube. Optionally, pipet 10 µl of pGLO plasmid DNA plasmid into the +pGLO tube and mix. Close the -pGLO tube and return it to the rack on ice. Do not add 6) Incubate the tubes on iceplasmid for 10DNA min. Make sure to the -pGLO tube.to push the tubes all the way downWhy in the bottom not? rack Close so the the -pGLGO tube of andcontact return it towith the rack ice. the tubes stick out and make theonice. 6. Incubate the tubes on ice for 10 min. Make sure to push the Rack tubes all the way down in the rack so the bottom of the tubes stick out and make contact with 18 the ice. -pGLO Ice 7. While the tubes are sitting on 7. While the label tubes are sitting on plates 7) While the tubes are sitting on ice, label ice, your four agar ice, label your four agar plates onthe the bottom (not the lid) as your four agar plates on bottom (not on theshown bottomon (not lid) as thethe diagram. the lid) as shown on the diagram. shown on the diagram. pGLO pGLO LB/amp LB/amp pGLO pGLO LB/ pGLO amp/ara pGLO LB/amp LB/ LB p am /ara p /am pGLO pGLO L B LB 8. Heat shock. Using the foam rack Ice -pGLO O O +pGLO -pGLO O O O O -6 O GFP II:plates Transformation 12. Stack up your and tape together. 12. Stack them up your plates Put and your tape group name andPut class period on the them together. your group of the stack and place the name bottom and class period on the down in the bottomstack of theupside stack and place the37°C until the next day. stack incubator upside down in the 37°C O +pGLO change fromand thethen ice (0°C) 42°C back to to the ice 42°C and then the ice tubes must be back rapid.toIncubate be ice rapid. tubes on for 2Incubate min.tubes 9) Remove the rackmust containing the from the ice and place on250 theµl bench top. Open a tube on ice for 2 min. 250 µl 9. Remove rack containing thenutrient broth to the tube and reclose it. Repeat and, using a new sterile pipet,the add 250μl of LB 9. Remove the rack containing the tubes from the ice and place on with a new sterile pipet for the other tube. Incubate the tubes for 30 min at room temperature. tubes the frombench the ice and place on and, top. Open a tube the bench Open a tube and,add usingtop. a new sterile pipet, using 250 a new sterile pipet, add µl of LB nutrient broth to the 250 µltube of LB nutrient broth to the with and reclose it. Repeat tube and reclose it. Repeat with a new sterile pipet for the other LB-Broth a newtube. sterile pipet for other Incubate thethe tubes for LB-Broth tube. Incubate tubes for 10 min atthe room temperature. 10 min at room temperature. 10. Gently flick the closed tubes with 100 µl 10. Gentlyyour flickfinger the closed tubes with to mix. Using a new 100 µl sterile for each tube, your finger topipet mix. Using a new 100 fromtube, each of the sterilepipet pipet forµleach tubes theeach corresponding pipet 100 µl to from of the as shown on the diagram tubes plates, to the corresponding the appropriate plates. plates,onto as shown on the diagram +p -p -p +p onto the appropriate plates. GL GL GL GL + p L B / a m p + p LB/am LB/ a- p p r p LB a m a / p L G L L G L G G LB 11. Use a new sterile loop for each LB/ LB/ /amp/ara LB amp amp Spreadloop the suspensions 11. Use aplate. new sterile for each the surface of the plate. evenly Spreadaround the suspensions by quickly skating the flat evenlyagar around the surface of the surface a new sterile agar by quicklyofskating the flatloop back across surface of aand newforth sterile loopthe plate surface. back and forth across the plate surface. QUICK GUIDE 8. Heatthe shock. Using the foam rack 8) Heat shock. Using rack as aboth holder, as foam a holder, transfer the (+) as a holder, transfer both the (+) pGLOand and (-) tubes into transfer both the (+) pGLO (-)pGLO pGLO tubes pGLOthe andwater (-) pGLO tubes into for bath, set at 42°C, into the water bath, at bath, 42°C, for exactly 50 theset water at 42°C, for sure exactly 50set seconds. Make to seconds. Make sure to push the tubes all the exactlypush 50 seconds. Make sure to down the tubes all the way way down in the rack the bottom ofdown theoftubes push so the tubes allso the way in the rack the bottom the Water bath the tubes rack so the bottom of the contact stick out and makeincontact with the warm stick out and make Water bath tubes stick out and make contact with the warm water. When the water. When the 50 seconds have passed, place warm water. When the place 42°C for 50 sec Ice 50 seconds have passed, both tubes back onwith ice.the For the best 42°C for 50 sec Ice Ice 50 seconds haveback passed, place both tubes on ice. For the transformation results, the change from the ice both tubes back on ice. For the best transformation results, the (0°C) to 42°C and then back to thethe ice best transformation results, the tobe rapid. Incubate tubes on ice for 2 min. change from icemust (0°C) 42°C for 50 sec Ice QUICK GUIDE QUICK GUIDE Ice Water bath 42°C for 50 sec 250 µl +pGLO 250 µl Ice -pGLO Ice +pGLO -pGLO LB-Broth 100 µl LB-Broth O 19 19 GFP II: Transformation - 7 -p GL +p O them together. Put your group name and class period on the bottom of the stack and place the stack upside down in the 37°C incubator until the next day. amp +p LB /amp/ara GL LB /amp/ara -p GL LB/ -p GL LB/ amp O GL LB/ amp amp GL LB -p O +p O GL LB/ O +p O 100 µl O with the warm water. When the the water bath, set at 42°C, for 50 seconds have passed, place exactly 50 seconds. Make sure to both tubes back on ice. For the push the tubes all the way down best transformation results, the in the rack so the bottom of the change from the ice (0°C) to tubes stick out and make contact 42°C and then back to the ice 10) Gently flick thewarm closed tubes with the water. Whenwith the must be rapid. Incubate tubes 50 seconds have passed, place your finger to mix. Using a new sterile on ice for 2 min. bothtube, tubes back on100ul ice. Forfrom the pipet for each pipet best transformation results, the 9. Remove thecorresponding rack containing the each of the tubes to the change from the iceice (0°C) tubes from the andtoplace on plates, as shown on thetop. diagram onto 42°C and then back to thea ice the bench Open tube and, the appropriate plates. Be sure to must be rapid. Incubate tubes using a new sterile pipet,put add on ice forµl2ofmin. the cells on the jello-like agar medium, 250 LB nutrient broth to the tube and reclose it. Repeat with not the plastic lid! 9. Remove the rack containing the a new sterile pipet for the other tubes from the ice and place on tube. Incubate the tubes for the bench top. Open a tube and, 10 min at room temperature. using a new sterile pipet, add 250 µl of LB nutrient broth to the 10. Gently flick the closed tubes with tube and reclose it. Repeat with your finger to mix. Using a new a new sterile pipet for the other sterile pipet for each tube, tube. Incubate the tubes for pipet 100 µl from each of the 10 min at room temperature. tubes to the corresponding plates, as shown on the diagram 10. Gently flick the closed tubes with onto the appropriate plates. your finger to mix. Using a new sterile pipet for each tube, pipet 100 µl from eachloop of thefor each 11. Use a new sterile tubes to the corresponding plate. Spread the suspensions plates, as shown on the diagram evenly around the surface of the onto the appropriate plates. agar by quickly skating the flat surface of a new sterile loop back andloop forth across the plate 11) Use a11. new for each plate. Usesterile a new sterile loop for each surface. plate. Spread the suspensions Spread the suspensions evenly around the evenly around the surface of the the surface of the agar by quickly skating agar by quickly skating flat 12. Stack up your platesthe and tape flat surface of athem new loop back surface oftogether. asterile new sterile loop Put your groupand forth across back thename plate surface. and and forth across the on plate class period the surface. bottom of the stack and place the stack upside down in the 37°C incubator theand nexttape day. 12. Stack up youruntil plates GL LB agar by quickly skating the flat surface of a new sterile loop back and forth across the plate surface. 12) Stack up your plates and12.tape them together. Put your group name and Stack up your plates and tape class period on the bottom of the stack andPut place stack upside down in the them together. yourthe group name and class period on the 37°C incubator until the next day. bottom of the stack and place the stack upside down in the 37°C incubator until the next day. Once your cells have grown, your TA will put them in the refrigerator so you can look at them during the last week of lab. 19 Lab Report There is no lab report for this session. GFP II: Transformation - 8