Chromium resistance characteristics of Cr(VI) resistance genes ChrA and ChrB in Serratia sp. S2.

OBJECTIVE

To find an efficient chromium (VI) resistance system, with a highly efficient, economical, safe, and environmentally friendly chromium-removing strain, ChrA, ChrB, and ChrAB fragments of the chromium (VI) resistance gene in Serratia sp. S2 were cloned, and their prokaryotic expression vectors were constructed and transformed into E. coli BL21. The anti-chromium (VI) capacity and characteristics of engineered bacteria, role of ChrA and ChrB genes in the anti-chromium (VI) processes, and the mechanism of chromium metabolism, were explored.

METHODS

The PCR technique was used to amplify ChrA, ChrB, and ChrAB genes from the Serratia sp. S2 genome. ChrA, ChrB, and ChrAB genes were connected to the prokaryotic expression vector pET-28a and transferred into E. coli BL21 for prokaryotic expression. Cr-absorption and Cr-efflux ability of the engineered strains were determined. The effects of respiratory inhibitors and oxygenated anions on Cr-efflux of ChrA and ChrB engineered strains were explored.

RESULTS

ChrA, ChrB, and ChrAB engineered strains were constructed successfully; there was no significant difference between the control strain and the ChrB engineered strain for Cr-metabolism (P > 0.05). Cr-absorption and Cr-efflux of ChrA and ChrAB engineered strains were significantly stronger than the control strain (P < 0.05). Oxyanions (sulfate and molybdate) and inhibitors (valinomycin and CN) could significantly inhibit the Cr-efflux capacities of ChrA and ChrAB engineered strains (P < 0.05), while NADPH could significantly promote such capacities (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The Cr-transporter, encoded by ChrA gene, confer the ability to pump out intracellular Cr on ChrA and ChrAB engineered strains. The ChrB gene plays a positive regulatory role in ChrA gene regulation. The Cr-metabolism ability of the ChrAB engineered strain is stronger than the ChrA engineered strain. ChrA and ChrAB genes in the Cr-resistance system may involve a variety of mechanisms, such as sulfate ion channel and respiratory chain electron transfer.