Escherichia coli - gfp biosensors used to monitor the biological activity of carmustine residues in surface water

Three genetic constructs with transcriptional fusion of recA, kat G and sodA genotoxin and genotoxin sensitive promoters with green fluorescent protein (gfp) reporter gene in Escherichia coli have been used for assessment of cytotoxic and genotoxic activity of carmustine in surface water. For experiments, the drug was used at concentrations of 0,01; 0,001; 0,0001; 0,00001 and 0,000001 mg/ml. Bacteria strains were incubated with carmustine for 3 and 24 hours. Experimental data showed different sensitivity of applied promoters for the same concentrations of carmustine. Obtained results indicated that, recA::gfpmut2, katG::gfpmut2 and sodA::gfpmut2 genetic systems were sensitive to carmustine, especially at the concentrations of 0,001; 0,0001 and 0,00001 mg/ml. The strongest reactivity was noticed for recA promoter (FI = 14,64). The results indicated that gfp E. coli strains with recA, katG and sodA could be potentially useful for monitoring of cyto- and genotoxic effect of pharmacist residues in surface water.