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Methylmercury degradation by Pseudomonas putida V1
Lucélia Cabral1, Ri-Qing Yu2, Sharron Crane3
1Microbial Resources Division - Research Center for Chemistry, Biology and Agriculture (CPQBA), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Av. Alexandre Cazelatto, 999, Campinas, SP 13148-218, Brazil.
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
|April 11, 2016
Summary
Pseudomonas putida V1 effectively transforms and degrades methylmercury and other mercury compounds. This bacterium shows potential for bioremediation of mercury-contaminated environments.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Bioremediation
- Toxicology
Background:
- Mercury contamination poses significant public health risks due to methylmercury's neurotoxicity, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification.
- Understanding microbial transformation of mercury compounds is crucial for developing effective remediation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transformation of various mercury compounds by Pseudomonas putida V1.
- To identify the presence of merA and merB genes in P. putida V1.
- To elucidate the degradation pathways of methylmercury by P. putida V1.
Main Methods:
- Culturing Pseudomonas putida V1 with methylmercury, thimerosal, phenylmercuric acetate, and mercuric chloride.
- Detecting merA and merB genes using molecular methods.
- Analyzing mercury transformation products and pathways using radioactive labeling (14C-methylmercury).
Main Results:
- P. putida V1 degraded methylmercury, thimerosal, and phenylmercuric acetate, and reduced mercuric chloride to Hg(0).
- The merA gene was detected, but merB was absent in P. putida V1.
- An unusual release of 14CO2 alongside Hg(0) production was observed during methylmercury degradation.
Conclusions:
- Pseudomonas putida V1 demonstrates significant potential for methylmercury bioremediation.
- The bacterium possesses the mercuric reductase gene (merA), contributing to mercury transformation.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the methylmercury removal mechanism by P. putida V1.
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