AN ESCHERICHIA-COLI GENE RESPONSIVE TO HEAVY-METALS

Using in vivo translational gene fusion in Escherichia coli K-12 we id entified a gene that is specifically induced by heavy metals, cadmium, mercury and zinc, at nmolar concentrations. This gene was identified by homology to known zinc and cadmium transporters. We created a disru ption of the gene that resulted only in a minor increase in sensitivit y to cadmium, suggesting that the fusion, which is at the carboxy-term inal end of the molecule, probably allows for at least partial activit y of. the protein. (C) 1998 Federation of European Microbiological Soc ieties. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.