Abstract
A strain of Escherichia coli carrying genes determining mercury resistance on a naturally occurring resistance transfer factor (RTF) converts 95% of 10(-5)m Hg(2+) (chloride) to metallic mercury at a rate of 4 to 5 nmoles of Hg(2+) per min per 10(8) cells. The metallic mercury is rapidly eliminated from the culture medium as mercury vapor. The volatilizing activity has a temperature dependence and heat sensitivity characteristic of enzymatic catalysis and is inducible by mercuric chloride. Ag(+) and Au(3+) are markedly inhibitory of mercury volatilization.
MeSH terms
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Catalysis
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Chlorides
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Chloroform
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Chromatography, Gas
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Drug Resistance, Microbial*
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Escherichia coli / drug effects*
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Escherichia coli / growth & development
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Escherichia coli / metabolism
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Extrachromosomal Inheritance*
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Genes
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Genetics, Microbial
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Gold / pharmacology
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Mass Spectrometry
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Mercuribenzoates / pharmacology
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Mercury / metabolism
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Mercury / pharmacology*
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Mercury Isotopes
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Silver / pharmacology
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Solvents
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Sulfhydryl Compounds / pharmacology
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Temperature
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Toluene
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Volatilization
Substances
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Chlorides
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Mercuribenzoates
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Mercury Isotopes
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Solvents
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Sulfhydryl Compounds
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Toluene
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Silver
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Gold
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Chloroform
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Mercury