[Resistance to metals determined by plasmids of gram-negative bacteria]

The data are reviewed on plasmid determinants controlling resistance of gram-negative bacteria to heavy metals. The structural and functional arrangement of operons determining resistance to copper, zinc, cadmium, cobalt, nickel, tellurites, and chromates is emphasized. The fields of use of the genetic potential of the bacteria resistant to metals in the modern biotechnological processes are envisaged.