Evolving a Generalist Biosensor for Bicyclic Monoterpenes

Prokaryotic transcription factors can be repurposed as analytical and synthetic tools for precise chemical measurement and regulation. Monoterpenes encompass a broad chemical family that are commercially valuable as flavors, cosmetics, and fragrances, but have proven difficult to measure, especially in cells. Herein, we develop genetically encoded, generalist monoterpene biosensors by using directed evolution to expand the effector specificity of the camphor-responsive TetR-family regulator CamR from Pseudomonas putida. Using a novel negative selection coupled with a highthroughput positive screen (Seamless Enrichment of Ligand-Inducible Sensors, SELIS), we evolve CamR biosensors that can recognize four distinct monoterpenes: borneol, fenchol, eucalyptol, and camphene. Different evolutionary trajectories surprisingly yielded common mutations, emphasizing the utility of CamR as a platform for creating generalist biosensors. Systematic promoter optimization driving the reporter increased the system's signal-to-noise ratio to 150-fold. These sensors can serve as a starting point for the high-throughput screening and dynamic regulation of bicyclic monoterpene production strains.

Automated summary

Prokaryotic transcription factors have been repurposed as analytical and synthetic tools for precise chemical measurement and regulation. In this study, genetically encoded, generalist monoterpene biosensors were developed by using directed evolution to expand the effector specificity of the camphor-responsive TetR-family regulator CamR. These biosensors can recognize four distinct monoterpenes and have a high signal-to-noise ratio. They can serve as a starting point for the high-throughput screening and dynamic regulation of bicyclic monoterpene production strains.