Table 1

Comparison of the screening methods for metagenomeic libraries


Function-based screening
Sequence-based screening
SIGEX

Screening principle
• Detecting changes by enzymatic reactions (e.g. halo formation around the colonies)
• PCR or Southern hybridization based on the DNA sequence consensus
• Trapping the operon induced by a substrate and sorting using FACS
Advantages
• Secures a complete form of gene or gene cluster required for desired traits
• Potentially obtains completely novel genes.
• Overcomes the limitations of the heterologous expression
• Fast and economical
• Any substrates that can be introduced into cytoplasm can be used in its native forms.
Disadvantages
• Must satisfy the expression conditions (transcription, translation, folding, secretion) in heterologous hosts
• Requires a database and analyses of the DNA sequence consensus.
• Does not guarantee the acquisition of complete forms of genes or gene clusters.
• Sensitive to the orientation of the genes with desired traits
• Cannot use substrates that do not migrate to cytoplasm
• Sensitive to the initial FACS setting
Examples
antibiotics [9, 19-22], genes involved antibiotic resistance [9, 23, 24], agarases [15], amidases [13], amylases [15, 21, 25, 26], esterase/lipases [8, 15, 21, 27, 28], xylanases [29], 4-hydoxybutyrate dehydrogenase [30] alcohol oxidoreductases [14], pectate lyases [31]
amylases [26], polyketide synthases [32, 33]
Benzoate-degratative or catechol degradative operon, P450 enzyme [16]

Yun and Ryu Microbial Cell Factories 2005 4:8   doi:10.1186/1475-2859-4-8