Abstract
Bacteria have evolved various types of resistance mechanisms to toxic metals and metalloids including mercury, cadmium/zinc, copper/silver and arsenic/antimony. Active efflux of the metal is a frequently utilized stratagem, lowering the intracellular concentration to subtoxic levels. Reduction to a less toxic form or to a form recognized by an efflux system also occurs. Sequestration of metals has also been observed. In bacteria, each of these resistance systems is transcriptionally regulated by the metal.
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Received: 18 January 1996 / Accepted: 1 March 1996
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Rosen, B. Bacterial resistance to heavy metals and metalloids. JBIC 1, 273–277 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/s007750050053
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s007750050053