Low-Molecular-Weight Thiols and Thioredoxins Are Important Players in Hg(II) Resistance in Thermus thermophilus HB27.

ABSTRACT: Mercury (Hg), one of the most toxic and widely distributed heavy metals, has a high affinity for thiol groups. Thiol groups reduce and sequester Hg. Therefore, low-molecular-weight (LMW) and protein thiols may be important cell components used in Hg resistance. To date, the role of low-molecular-weight thiols in Hg detoxification remains understudied. The mercury resistance (mer) operon of Thermus thermophilus suggests an evolutionary link between Hg(II) resistance and low-molecular-weight thiol metabolism. The mer operon encodes an enzyme involved in methionine biosynthesis, Oah. Challenge with Hg(II) resulted in increased expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis of multiple low-molecular-weight thiols (cysteine, homocysteine, and bacillithiol), as well as the

SUBMITTER: Norambuena J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5752852 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature