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.