M. Valls et al., Engineering a mouse metallothionein on the cell surface of Ralstonia eutropha CH34 for immobilization of heavy metals in soil, NAT BIOTECH, 18(6), 2000, pp. 661-665
Here we describe targeting of the mouse metallothionein 1 (MT) protein to t
he cell surface of the heavy metal-tolerant Ralstonia eutropha (formerly Al
caligenes eutrophus) CH34 strain, which is adapted to thrive in soils highl
y polluted with metal ions. DNA sequences encoding MT were fused to the aut
otrans-porter beta-domain of the IgA protease of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, whi
ch targeted the hybrid protein toward the bacterial outer membrane. The tra
nslocation, surface display, and functionality of the chimeric MT beta prot
ein was initially demonstrated in Escherichia coli before the transfer of i
ts encoding gene (mtb) to R. eutropha. The resulting bacterial strain, name
d R. eutropha MTB, was found to have an enhanced ability for immobilizing C
d2+ ions from the external media. Furthermore, the inoculation of Cd2+-poll
uted soil with R. eutropha MTB decreased significantly the toxic effects of
the heavy metal on the growth of tobacco plants (Nicotiana bentamiana).