Genetic Manipulation of a Cyanobacterium For Heavy Metal Detoxification

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

4-11-1995

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

School

Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Abstract

Increadings heavy metal contamination of osil and water has produced a need for economical and effective methods to reduece the toxic buildup of these materials. Biological systems use metallothionein proteins as a nuatral detoxification defense to sequester such harmful heavy metals as copper, cadmium, and zinc. Sutdies are underway to genetically engineer a strain of cyanobacteria with increased ability for metallothionein productin and thus an increased sequestration capacity. Cyanobacteria require only sunlight and CO2 as basic engery and carbon sources, respectively, and could serve well as a low cost means for environmental cleanup.

Vector constructs are being developed in a naturally competent, unicellular cyanobacterium, Anacystis nidulans R2. Cloned copies of a yeast copper metallothionein gene have been inserted into a cyanobacterial shuttle vector as well as a vector designed for genomic integration. Transofrmation studies have produced recombinant cyanobacteria from both of these systems, and work is currently underway to assess the organism's ability to withstand increasing copper, cadmium, and zinc concentrations.

Publication Title

Mississippi Water Resources Conference

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