Mercury methylation converts inorganic mercury into the toxic methylmercury, and the consequences of this transformation are worrisome for human health and the environment. This process is performed by anaerobic microorganisms, such as several strains related to Pseudodesulfovibrio and Desulfovibrio genera. In order to provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of mercury methylation, we performed a comparative genomic analysis on mercury methylators and non-methylators from (Pseudo)Desulfovibrio strains. Our results showed that (Pseudo)Desulfovibrio species are phylogenetically and metabolically distant and consequently, these genera should be divided into various genera. Strains able to perform methylation are affiliated with one branch of the phylogenetic tree, but, except for hgcA and hgcB genes, no other specific genetic markers were found among methylating strains. hgcA and hgcB genes can be found adjacent or separated, but proximity between those genes does not promote higher mercury methylation. In addition, close examination of the non-methylator Pseudodesulfovibrio piezophilus C1TLV30 strain, showed a syntenic structure that suggests a recombination event and may have led to hgcB depletion. The genomic analyses identify also arsR gene coding for a putative regulator upstream hgcA. Both genes are cotranscribed suggesting a role of ArsR in hgcA expression and probably a role in mercury methylation.
Keywords: Comparative genomics; Phylogeny; Regulation; Sulfate reducing bacteria; Synteny.
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