Analyses of the genes responsible for the degradation of methyl-mercury from marine isolated bacteria and metagenomes

Trabajo presentado por Laura Trujillo Cuadra en la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) y realizado bajo la dirección de la Dra. Silvia González Acinas del Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC).-- 8 pages, 10 figures, 6 tables, 1 annexMercury (Hg) is a toxic trace element that represents a serious threat to marine ecosystems and human health.Marine microorganisms hold a high potential for Hg decontamination, as some are known to host genetic elements needed to detoxify this element (e.g. the mer operon). In this study, we isolated 310 marine bacteria and detected through PCR the presence of the merA (homodimeric flavin-dependent disulfide oxidoreductase enzyme mercuric reductase) and merB (organomercury lyase) genes. Additionally, we searched for these mer genes in 58 deep ocean metagenomes from Malaspina Expedition. Some of the strains isolated would be further evaluated in bioremediation Hg studiesThis work has been possible thanks to the project BIOSENSOMICS funded to SGA through “Convocatoria 2015 de ayudas Fundación BBVA a investigadores y creadores culturales”Peer Reviewe