Hybridization of DNA probes with whole-community genome for detection of genes that encode microbial responses to pollutants: mer genes and Hg2+ resistance |
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Authors: | T Barkay C Liebert M Gillman |
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Institution: | Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology Branch U.S., Environmental Protection Agency, Sabine Island, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561. |
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Abstract: | 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+. |
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