FEBS Letters · 1988 · 35 citations · 5 references
Life SciencesGeneticsMicrobiologyMicrobial EcologyMicrobial EvolutionMicrobial GeneticsHorizontal Gene TransferResistance GenesResistance In Gram-negative BacteriaResistance In Gram-positive BacteriaEnvironmental Mercury Contamination
Two immunologically non-cross-reactive types of mercury reductases were found among Gram-negative and two among Gram-positive mercury-resistant environmental bacteria. Mercury reductases were further discriminated by 'spur' formation immunodiffusion tests. Immunologically indistinguishable mercury reductases were found among strains belonging to phylogenetically distant genera. This suggests a horizontal transfer of mercury resistance genes between these strains.
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