Diversity of Mercury-Tolerant Microorganisms
Anastasia A. Golysheva, Lyudmila V. Litvinenko, И. Б. Ившина
Abstract
Researchers have identified mercury as one of the most toxic environmental pollutants, with deleterious effects on human health and biota. Microorganisms play a key role in the accumulation, degradation, and neutralisation of mercury. Numerous bacteria, fungi, and microalgae possess the mer operon and its homologues, which contain genes responsible for the transport and detoxification of mercury compounds. Mercury-tolerant Microorganisms efficiently convert mercury into less toxic forms. Their tolerance characteristics position them as promising agents for the remediation of ecosystems altered by human activity. This review explores the mechanisms by which microorganisms resist mercury and their potential for biotechnological applications, including eco-friendly and cost-effective bioremediation of mercury-contaminated environments.