Characterization of the Tellurite-Resistance Properties and Identification of the Core Function Genes for Tellurite Resistance in Pseudomonas citronellolis SJTE-3

Tellurite is highly toxic to bacteria and commonly used in the clinical screening for pathogens; it is speculated that there is a potential relationship between tellurite resistance and bacterial pathogenicity. Until now, the core function genes of tellurite resistance and their characteristics are still obscure. SJTE-3 was found able to resist high concentrations of tellurite (250 μg/mL) and formed vacuole-like tellurium nanostructures. The gene cluster located in the large plasmid pRBL16 endowed strain SJTE-3 with the tellurite resistance of high levels. Although the and genes were identified as the core function genes for tellurite reduction and resistance, the inhibition of cell growth was observed when they were used solely. Interestingly, co-expression of the gene or gene could relieve the burden caused by the expression of the genes and recover normal cell growth. TerC and TerD proteins commonly shared the conserved sequences and are widely distributed in many pathogenic bacteria, highly associated with the pathogenicity factors.