ISSN:
1432-072X
Keywords:
Methylation of mercury
;
Detoxication of mercury
;
Mercury sensitivity
;
Vitamin B12 auxotroph
;
Methylcobalamin
;
Clostridium cochlearium
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract A vitamin B12 requiring strain was isolated fromChlostridium cochlearium T-2 C which is known to synthesize various types of vitamin B12 including methylcobalamin and has an ability to methylate inorganic mercury. The vitamin B12 auxotroph lacking the mercury-methylating activity showed higher sensitivity to inorganic mercury than its original strain, while the sensitivity of both strains to methylmercury was relatively low and essentially the same. These data seem to present affirmative evidence to postulate the physiological role of methylcobalamin-dependent methylation of mercury to be a process of detoxication.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01054003
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