In order to use heat shock promoter for the detection of toxic substances, dnaK promoter was amplified from E. coli genomic DNA by using a polymerase chain reaction(PCR) followed by sequencing and sub-cloning into the multi-cloning site of the plasmid, pUCD615. The pUCD615 is a broad-host-range vector containing promoterless lux operon originated from V.fischeri. The recombinant plasmid was transfered to E. coli DH5$alpha$ through electroporation. The recombinant E. coli showed several patterns of bioluminescent responses to ethanol stress. The bioluminescent E. coli also showed responses to other toxic substances including FeK3(CN)6, CdCl2, p-nitrophenol and HgCl2. The increases of RLU(Relative Light Unit) were observed at 100ppm of FeK3(CN)6, 10ppm and 100ppm and 100ppm of CdCl2, 1ppm of 10ppm of p-nitrophenol and at 1ppm of HgCl2.