Temporal and Spatial Properties of a Yeast Multi-Cellular Amplification System Based on Signal Molecule Diffusion

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Personen und Körperschaften:	Jahn, Michael, Mölle, Annett, Rödel, Gerhard, Ostermann, Kai
Titel:	Temporal and Spatial Properties of a Yeast Multi-Cellular Amplification System Based on Signal Molecule Diffusion
Format:	E-Artikel
Sprache:	Englisch
veröffentlicht:	Basel MDPI 2013 Online-Ausg.. 2014
Gesamtaufnahme:	, Sensors 2013, 13(11), 14511-14522, ISSN: 1424-8220
Schlagwörter:	Biosensor Alphafaktor Fluoreszenz Agarose Tu Dresden Publikationsfonds Microbial Biosensor Yeast Alpha (Α)–Factor Fluorescence Immobilization Agarose; Modular Signaling/Amplification System Technical University Dresden Publication Funds
Quelle:	Qucosa

Details
Zusammenfassung:	We report on the spatial and temporal signaling properties of a yeast pheromone-based cell communication and amplifier system. It utilizes the Saccharomyces cerevisiae mating response pathway and relies on diffusion of the pheromone α–factor as key signaling molecule between two cell types. One cell type represents the α–factor secreting sensor part and the other the reporter part emitting fluorescence upon activation. Although multi-cellular signaling systems promise higher specificity and modularity, the complex interaction of the cells makes prediction of sensor performance difficult. To test the maximum distance and response time between sensor and reporter cells, the two cell types were spatially separated in defined compartments of agarose hydrogel (5 ´ 5 mm) and reconnected by diffusion of the yeast pheromone. Different ratios of sensor to reporter cells were tested to evaluate the minimum amount of sensor cells required for signal transduction. Even the smallest ratio, one α–factor-secreting cell to twenty reporter cells, generated a distinct fluorescence signal. When using a 1:1 ratio, the secreted pheromone induced fluorescence in a distance of up to four millimeters after six hours. We conclude from both our experimental results and a mathematical diffusion model that in our approach: (1) the maximum dimension of separated compartments should not exceed five millimeters in gradient direction; and (2) the time-limiting step is not diffusion of the signaling molecule but production of the reporter protein.