环境中污染物降解基因的水平转移(HGT)及其在生物修复中的作用

水平基因转移是不同于垂直基因转移的遗传物质的交流方式.在污染环境这一特异生态环境中,降解基因的水平转移有着独特的功能与作用.研究环境中污染物降解基因在微生物间的水平转移,更深入地了解微生物种群适应污染环境的机理,对于评价污染物的环境毒理、生物可降解性以及污染环境的可修复潜力具有重要参考价值.在污染物生物修复实践中,可以通过调控降解基因的水平转移,增强污染环境中微生物的降解能力,更有效地发挥生物修复作用.文章将对环境中细菌间基因交流的机制,污染物降解基因的水平转移对微生物适应污染环境的机理、水平基因转移对代谢途径的进化及其对污染物生物修复作用的影响等方面的研究进展做一综述.

Horizontal Transfer of Environmental Pollutant-Degrading Gene and Application in Bioremediation

Horizontal gene transfer, unlike vertical gene transfer, is a means of genetic communication in bacteria. In the special polluted environment, horizontal transfer of pollutant-degrading gene has significant functions. Study on horizontal transfer of degrading gene in polluted environment may deepen our understanding of the mechanism of bacterial adaptation to the organic-polluted environments, the environmental toxicity and bioavailability of pollutants, and the bioremediation of polluted environment. In the practical application in bioremediation, horizontal transfer of degrading gene can be regulated to promote degrading ability of microorganisms. In this article, we will review the advances in the study on mechanisms of genetic interactions among bacteria, the effect of degrading gene transfer in contaminated environment on microorganisms' adaptation to contaminated environment and the degradation of the pollutants.