Role of Mer transporters in the transport of toxic metals in Escherichia coli.

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K18907
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Environmental and hygienic pharmacy
• Research Institution: Kitasato University
• Principal Investigator: SONE Yuka 北里大学, 薬学部, 助教 (60550035)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 水銀耐性遺伝子 / 有害金属輸送活性 / 複合汚染浄化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The characteristics of bacteria take up mercury into cells via Mer superfamily, i.e., MerC, MerE, MerF, or MerT, have been applied in engineering of bioreactor used for mercurial bioremediation. Our objective was to clarify individual role of MerC, MerE, MerF, or MerT and potential in transport of toxic metals. The E. coli cells that carried control vector or mer recombinants were suspended in LB broth containing Cd(II), As(III), or Cr(VI) and incubated for various time, respectively. The cells that expressed MerC, MerE, MerF, or MerT accumulated significantly more Cd, or As than control. MerC recombinants accumulated significantly more Cr than control. Consequently, we demonstrated that MerC, MerE, MerF, and MerT are broad-spectrum toxic metals transporters. Our results suggested that all Mer transporters can be used for designing toxic metals bioremediation systems, moreover, MerC is the most efficient tool.

Free Research Field

環境薬学