Development of an inducible system to control and easily monitor gene expression in Lactococcus lactis

This report describes the implementation and use of a maltose-inducible system for regulated gene expression in Lactococcus lactis. The system was established using Green Fluorescent Protein as reporter. The transcription of a gene of interest from the inducible promoter of pLS1RGFP plasmid vector can be easily monitored by fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy. As an example, the lactococcal ribonuclease III was overproduced in an active form.