Genome sequence of the mercury-methylating and pleomorphic Desulfovibrio africanus Strain Walvis Bay

J Bacteriol. 2011 Aug;193(15):4037-8. doi: 10.1128/JB.05223-11. Epub 2011 Jun 3.

Abstract

Desulfovibrio africanus strain Walvis Bay is an anaerobic sulfate-reducing bacterium capable of producing methylmercury (MeHg), a potent human neurotoxin. The mechanism of methylation by this and other organisms is unknown. We present the 4.2-Mb genome sequence to provide further insight into microbial mercury methylation and sulfate-reducing bacteria.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Desulfovibrio africanus / genetics*
  • Desulfovibrio africanus / isolation & purification
  • Desulfovibrio africanus / metabolism
  • Genome, Bacterial*
  • Geologic Sediments / microbiology*
  • Methylation
  • Methylmercury Compounds / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Namibia

Substances

  • Methylmercury Compounds

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AFHE00000000