The methylation of mercuric chloride by human intestinal bacteria.
Most strains of staphylococci, streptococci, yeasts and E. coli isolated from human faeces, could synthesize methylmercury compounds. In contrast, few strains of obligate anaerobes could do so. Up to 6 ng methylmercury/ml were formed in 44 h from 2 mug mercuric chloride.
D000191:Actinomycetaceae / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D001439:Bacteroides / Q000378:metabolism; D002432:Cecum / Q000378:metabolism; D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000378:metabolism; D008628:Mercury / Q000378:metabolism*; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000378:metabolism; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000378:metabolism; D015003:Yeasts / Q000378:metabolism
D002712:Chlorides; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D008628:Mercury