Differential expression of Desulfovibrio vulgaris genes in response to Cu(II) and Hg(II) toxicity

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2004 Mar;70(3):1847-51. doi: 10.1128/AEM.70.3.1847-1851.2004.

Abstract

The response of Desulfovibrio vulgaris to Cu(II) and Hg(II) was characterized. Both metals increased the lag phase, and Cu(II) reduced cell yield at concentrations as low as 50 microM. mRNA expression was analyzed using random arbitrarily primed PCR, differential display, and quantitative PCR. Both Cu(II) and Hg(II) (50 micro M) caused upregulation of mRNA expression for an ATP binding protein (ORF2004) and an ATPase (ORF856) with four- to sixfold increases for Hg(II) and 1.4- to 3-fold increases with Cu(II). These results suggest that D. vulgaris uses an ATP-dependent mechanism for adapting to toxic metals in the environment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Copper / pharmacology*
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Desulfovibrio vulgaris / drug effects*
  • Desulfovibrio vulgaris / genetics*
  • Desulfovibrio vulgaris / growth & development
  • Desulfovibrio vulgaris / metabolism
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Genes, Bacterial*
  • Mercury / pharmacology*
  • RNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • RNA, Bacterial / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Copper
  • Mercury