Recombinant protein expression in bacteria is a simple, yet time-consuming process. Typically cells are grown overnight to stationary phase, diluted and grown to an optimal density, then induced. To simplify this process, we took advantage of the tight regulation of protein expression by glucose and rhamnose in the KRX strain of E. coli. We developed an autoinduction protocol that eliminates the need for culture density monitoring and a separate induction step. We describe early and late autoinduction protocols in LB medium and demonstrate autoinduced expression of three different proteins.
Promega Notes 98, 16–18.
Trista Schagat, Rachel Ohana, Paul Otto, Jim Hartnett and Michael Slater