The thiosulfate reductase gene (phsABC) from Salmonella typhimurium was expressed in Escherichia coli in order to produce sulfide from inorganic thiosulfate and precipitate metals as metal sulfide complexes. The sulfide-engineered strain removed significant amounts of heavy metals from the medium within 24 h: 99% of zinc up to 500 mu M, 99% of lead up to 200 mu M, 99% of 100 mu M and 91% of 200 mu M cadmium. In a mixture of 100 mu M each of cadmium, lead, and zinc, the strain removed 99% of the total metals from solution within 10 h. Cadmium was removed first, lead second, and zinc last. These results have important implications for removal of metals from wastewater contaminated with several metals.