Chen S, Wilson D B
Institute for Comparative and Environmental Toxicology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
Appl Environ Microbiol. 1997 Jun;63(6):2442-5. doi: 10.1128/aem.63.6.2442-2445.1997.
Escherichia coli strains were genetically engineered to express an Hg2+ transport system and metallothionein. Overexpression of a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein of Saccharomyces cerevisiae or pea metallothionein significantly increased the bioaccumulation of Hg2+ transported by MerT and MerP and protected the cells from the accumulated Hg2+. The recombinant strains have excellent properties for bioremediation of Hg(2+)-contaminated environments.