Identification of Genes Involved in Picric Acid and 2,4-Dinitrophenol Degradation by mRNA Differential Display

Nitrophenols have been used extensively in the industrial production of pesticides, dyes, and explosives. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists several mononitrophenols, dinitrophenols, and 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (picric acid) on its Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) list describing hazardous and toxic chemicals (EPA, 1998). The toxicity of 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) and picric acid is described in more detail later in this chapter.