Title: Mercury methylation genes in bacteria and archaea

Abstract

Two genes required for this mercury methylation have been identified in bacteria and archaea. These genes are the hgcA gene and hgcB, a corrinoid protein that facilitates methyl group transfer to Hg, and a corrinoid protein-associated ferredoxin with two [4Fe-4S] binding motifs involved in generating cob(I)almin, respectively. The invention provides nucleic acid probes and primers for detecting methylmercury and or for assessing mercury methylation potential in environmental, clinical and other samples. The invention also provides antibodies against these proteins, antibodies against these proteins, methods of using the antibodies and methods of biocatalysis.

Inventors:

Parks, Jerry M.; Johs, Alexander

Issue Date:

2018-07-31

Research Org.:

Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1464626

Patent Number(s):

10036072

Application Number:

14/132,906

Assignee:

UT-BATTELLE, LLC (Oak Ridge, TN)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

C - CHEMISTRY C12 - BIOCHEMISTRY C12Q - MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS

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C - CHEMISTRY C12 - BIOCHEMISTRY C12Q - MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS

C12Q1/689 - for bacteria
C12Q2600/142 - Toxicological screening, e.g. expression profiles which identify toxicity

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC05-00OR22725

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2013 Dec 18

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES