The MerE protein encoded by transposon Tn21 is a broad mercury transporter in Escherichia coli.

FEBS Lett

Department of Public Health and Molecular Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan.

Published: April 2009

In order to clarify the physiological role of the merE gene of transposon Tn21, a pE4 plasmid that contained the merR gene of plasmid pMR26 from Pseudomonas strain K-62, and the merE gene of Tn21 from the Shigella flexneri plasmid NR1 (R100) was constructed. Bacteria with plasmid pE4 (merR-o/p-merE) were more hypersensitive to CH(3)Hg(I) and Hg(II), and took up significantly more CH(3)Hg(I) and Hg(II), than the isogenic strain. The MerE protein encoded by pE4 was localized in the membrane cell fraction, but not in the soluble fraction. Based on these experimental results, we suggest for the first time that the merE gene is a broad mercury transporter mediating the transport of both CH(3)Hg(I) and Hg(II) across the bacterial membrane.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.febslet.2009.02.039DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

mere gene
12
ch3hgi hgii
12
mere protein
8
protein encoded
8
transposon tn21
8
broad mercury
8
mercury transporter
8
mere
5
encoded transposon
4
tn21 broad
4

Similar Publications

Gene Deficiency of δ Subunit-Containing GABA Receptor in mPFC Lead Learning and Memory Impairment in Mice.

Neurochem Res

January 2025

Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Brain Science, Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China.

Maintaining GABAergic inhibition within physiological limits in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is critical for working memory. While synaptic GABAR typically mediate the primary component of mPFC inhibition, the role of extrasynaptic δ-GABAR in working memory remains unclear. To investigate this, we used fiber photometry to examine the effects of δ-GABAR in freely moving mice.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A gut microbiota-independent mechanism shapes the bile acid pool in mice with MASH.

JHEP Rep

November 2024

Laboratory of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.

Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates how changes in bile acids contribute to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), focusing on the role of gut bacteria.
  • Mice with MASH on a high-fat diet were compared to their wildtype counterparts to isolate the effects of MASH from diet and environmental factors.
  • Findings show that MASH alters bile acid levels through mechanisms unrelated to gut microbiota, particularly highlighting increased enzyme activity in the liver that reduces secondary bile acid levels.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The molecular diagnosis of type 1 facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD1) relies on the detection of a shortened D4Z4 array at the 4q35 locus. Until recently, the diagnosis of FSHD2 relied solely on the absence of a shortened D4Z4 allele in clinically affected patients. It is now established that most FSHD2 cases carry a heterozygous variant in the SMCHD1 gene.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The hippocampus (HPC) is essential for navigation and memory, tracking environmental continuity and change, including navigation relative to moving targets. CA1 ensembles expressing immediate-early gene (IEG) Arc and Homer1a RNA are contextually specific. While IEG expression correlates with HPC-dependent task demands, the effects of behavioral demands on IEG-expressing ensembles remain unclear.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

"Assembly Theory" in life-origin models: A critical review.

Biosystems

December 2024

ProtoBioCybernetics & Protocellular Metabolomics, The Gene Emergence Project, The Origin of Life Science Foundation, Inc, USA. Electronic address:

Any homeostatic protometabolism would have required orchestration of disparate biochemical pathways into integrated circuits. Extraordinarily specific molecular assemblies were also required at the right time and place. Assembly Theory conflated with its cousins-Complexity Theory, Chaos theory, Quantum Mechanics, Irreversible Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics and Molecular Evolution theory- collectively have great naturalistic appeal in hopes of their providing the needed exquisite steering and controls.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!