Identification of the pco operon in Enterobacter species isolated from contaminated soil

Genetic determinants of heavy metal resistance in bacteria can be localized both on chromosomal and on extrachromosomal genetic elements. Interactions between bacteria and heavy metal ions are of great interest both as a fundamental process and potential bioremedial technology. In this study copper resistance was identified in Enterobacter sp. isolated from oil and petrol contaminated site. The copper resistance in Enterobacter isolate designated as CMG457 was shown to be plasmid-encoded. A complete Pco operon (pcoABCDRSE) was identified by PCR based methods.