Shifting the Specificity of E. coli Biosensor from Inorganic Arsenic to Phenylarsine Oxide through Genetic Engineering

It has recently been discovered that organic and inorganic arsenics could be detrimental to human health. Although organic arsenic is less toxic than inorganic arsenic, it could form inorganic arsenic through chemical and biological processes in environmental systems. In this regard, the availability of tools for detecting organic arsenic species would be beneficial. Because As-sensing biosensors employing arsenic responsive genetic systems are regulated by ArsR which detects arsenics, the target selectivity of biosensors could be obtained by modulating the selectivity of ArsR. In this study, we demonstrated a shift in the specificity of E. coli cell-based biosensors from the detection of inorganic arsenic to that of organic arsenic, specifically phenylarsine oxide (PAO), through the genetic engineering of ArsR. By modulating the number and location of cysteines forming coordinate covalent bonds with arsenic species, an E. coli cell-based biosensor that was specific to PAO was obtained. Despite its restriction to PAO at the moment, it offers invaluable evidence of the potential to generate new biosensors for sensing organic arsenic species through the genetic engineering of ArsR.

Melatonin triggers the anticancer potential of phenylarsine oxide via induction of apoptosis through ROS generation and JNK activation

Melatonin, a safe endogenous hormone and a natural supplement, has recently been recognized to have antiproliferative effects and the ability to sensitize cells to other anticancer therapies.

Rapid and high-sensitivity determination of phenylarsine oxide in environmental samples by a new technique: solid-phase microextraction followed by corona discharge ion mobility spectrometry

A new, rapid and sensitive method using solid-phase microextraction coupled with corona discharge ion mobility spectrometry was employed for determining phenylarsine oxide in environmental samples after derivatization with 1,3-propanedithiol.

Phenylarsine oxide (PAO) induces apoptosis in HepG2 cellsviaROS-mediated mitochondria and ER-stress dependent signaling pathways

PAO showed potent cytotoxic effects on arsenic resistant human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells by producing ROS.