A tetracycline inducible expression vector for Corynebacterium glutamicum allowing tightly regulable gene expression

Here we report on the construction of a tetracycline inducible expression vector that allows a tightly regulable gene expression in Corynebacterium glutamicum which is used in industry for production of small molecules such as amino acids. Using the green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a reporter protein we show that this vector, named pCLTON1, is characterized by tight repression under non-induced conditions as compared to a conventional IPTG inducible expression vector, and that it allows gradual GFP synthesis upon gradual increase of anhydrotetracycline addition.

► A novel expression vector for Corynebacterium glutamicum was constructed. ► It utilizes a tetracycline dependent transcriptional regulator (TetR). ► TetR controls the expression from a Bacillus subtilis derived promoter. ► The vector shows a tightly repressed gene expression without inducer. ► Gene expression can be gradually induced with increasing inducer concentrations.