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Abstract

Disclosed is a method using an alkane response element (ARE) from, e.g., Acinetobacter spp. to (i) identify and clone hydrocarbon biosynthesis genes, (ii) identify and clone hydrocarbon transporter genes (iii) identify and clone hydrocarbon response genes. Screening cells were developed that expressed a transcriptional activator, e.g., alkR, and included a reporter gene, e.g., GFP operatively linked to an ARE promoter, e.g., the alkM promoter. The cells were transformed with libraries from organisms capable of hydrocarbon biosynthesis. Transformed cells that expressed the reporter gene harbored library-derived genes involved in one or more of the above-mentioned processes; and these genes were isolated from the cells using standard molecular biology techniques. Additional systems were designed wherein screening cells also expressed a gene identified in the original screen, e.g., an additional hydrocarbon pathway gene, e.g., an enhancer.

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