Nickel-Resistance-Based Minitransposons: New Tools for Genetic Manipulation of Environmental Bacteria

The ncc and nre nickel resistance determinants from Ralstonia eutropha-like strain 31A were used to construct mini-Tn5 transposons. Broad host expression of nickel resistance was observed for the nre minitransposons in members of the α, β, and γ subclasses of the Proteobacteria, while the ncc minitransposons expressed nickel resistance only in R. eutropha-like strains.