Hybridization of DNA probes with whole-community genome for detection of genes that encode microbial responses to pollutants: mer genes and Hg2+ resistance.
Nucleic acids extracted from microbial biomass without prior culturing were hybridized with probes representing four mer operons to detect genes encoding adaptation to Hg2+ in whole-community genomes. A 29-fold enrichment in sequences similar to the mer genes of transposon Tn501 occurred during adaptation in a freshwater community. In an estuarine community, all four mer genes were only slightly enriched (by three- to fivefold), suggesting that additional, yet uncharacterized, mer genes encoded adaptation to Hg2+.
Barkay
T
T
Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology Branch U.S., Environmental Protection Agency, Sabine Island, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561.
Liebert
C
C
Gillman
M
M
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D015342:DNA Probes; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial / Q000235:genetics; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D008628:Mercury / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D009876:Operon; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000494:pharmacology*
D015342:DNA Probes; D014873:Water Pollutants; D008628:Mercury