Metal resistance systems in cultivated bacteria: are they found in complex communities?

- Metal-resistance systems were reviewed in complex bacterial communities.
- Only studies based on shotgun metagenomics and metaproteomics were considered.
- Of the 22 possible metal-resistance systems, only 14 were found in complex communities.
- The most widespread systems are biogenic sulfide production, resistance mediated in the periplasm, efflux, treatment of oxidative damage and down-regulation of transporters.