Community analysis of a mercury hot spring supports occurrence of domain-specific forms of mercuric reductase.

ABSTRACT: Mercury is a redox-active heavy metal that reacts with active thiols and depletes cellular antioxidants. Active resistance to the mercuric ion is a widely distributed trait among bacteria and results from the action of mercuric reductase (MerA). Protein phylogenetic analysis of MerA in bacteria indicated the occurrence of a second distinctive form of MerA among the archaea, which lacked an N-terminal metal recruitment domain and a C-terminal active tyrosine. To assess the distribution of the forms of MerA in an interacting community comprising members of both prokaryotic domains, studies were conducted at a naturally occurring mercury-rich geothermal environment. Geochemical analyses of Coso Hot Springs indicated that mercury ore (cinnabar) was present at concentrations of parts per thousa

SUBMITTER: Simbahan J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1317467 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature