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. 1989 Jun;55(6):1574–1577. doi: 10.1128/aem.55.6.1574-1577.1989

Hybridization of DNA probes with whole-community genome for detection of genes that encode microbial responses to pollutants: mer genes and Hg2+ resistance.

T Barkay 1, C Liebert 1, M Gillman 1
PMCID: PMC202907  PMID: 2764567

Abstract

Nucleic acids extracted from microbial biomass without prior culturing were hybridized with probes representing four mer operons to detect genes encoding adaptation to Hg2+ in whole-community genomes. A 29-fold enrichment in sequences similar to the mer genes of transposon Tn501 occurred during adaptation in a freshwater community. In an estuarine community, all four mer genes were only slightly enriched (by three- to fivefold), suggesting that additional, yet uncharacterized, mer genes encoded adaptation to Hg2+.

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Selected References

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