Metabolism of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane in the mouse

The metabolites of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDD) found in the urine of female Swiss mice are reported. The metabolites of DDT are DDD, 1-chloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethene (DDMU), 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethene (DDE), 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)acetic acid (DDA), 2-hydroxy-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)acetic acid (αOH-DDA) and 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethanol (DDOH), while DDD afforded DDMU, DDE, DDA, αOH-DDA and DDOH. The relative excreted levels of DDA and DDOH and the absence of 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)acetaldehyde (DDCHO) are not consistent with the generally accepted path way for DDA formation, which involves sequential metabolism of DDT and DDD via DDOH to afford DDA. The quantitative results are interpreted to mean that DDA is formed by hydroxylation at the chlorinated sp³-side chain carbon of DDD to give 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)acetyl chloride (DDA-Cl), which in turn is hydrolyzed to DDA. The excretion of αOH-DDA from both DDT- and DDD-treated mice has never been previously observed. It is suggested that this metabolite arises from the initial epoxidation of DDMU, a metabolite of DDT and DDD, to yield 1,2-epoxy-1-chloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDMU-epoxide). This chloroepoxide is then hydrolyzed and oxidized to produce the αOH-DDA.     

Metabolism of a DDT metabolite via a chloroepoxide

The 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) metabolic intermediate 1-chloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethene (DDMU) is partially metabolized in vivo by mice to 2-hydroxy-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)acetic acid (αOH-DDA) and other metabolites which are excreted in urine. The subsequent DDT metabolic intermediates 1-chloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDMS) and 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethene (DDNU) are metabolized to αOH-DDA to a much lesser extent. These results imply that DDMU may be metabolized via an α-chloroepoxide. The authentic DDMU-epoxide, which after oral administration is excreted as αOH-DDA, is mutagenic in the Ames assay, and thermally rearranges rapidly to the corresponding α-chloroaldehyde, 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2-chloroacetaldehyde (αCl-DDCHO). As expected αCl-DDCHO yielded the same urinary metabolites as DDMU-epoxide. This suggested metabolic pathway for DDMU via a chloroepoxide intermediate may account for the tumorigenicity of DDT in mice.     

Tissue Residue Guideline for ∑DDT for Protection of Aquatic Birds in China

DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane) is a chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide that has been used worldwide. While the use of DDT has been phased out in many countries, it is still produced in some parts of the world for use to control vectors of malaria. DDE (1,1,-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene) and DDD (1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane) are primary metabolites of DDT and have similar chemical and physical properties. DDT and its metabolites (DDE and DDD) are collectively referred to as ∑DDT. The lipophilic nature and persistence of the ∑DDT result in biomagnification in wildlife that feed at higher trophic levels in the food chain. Wildlife in aquatic ecosystems depend on aquatic biota as their primary source of food, which provide the main route of exposure to ∑DDT. Studies about effects of ∑DDT on birds were reviewed. The tissue residue guidelines for DDT (TRGs) for protection of birds in China were derived using species sensitivity distribution (SSD) and toxicity percentile rank method (TPRM) based on the available toxicity data. Risks of ∑DDT to birds were assessed by comparing the TRGs and ∑DDT concentrations in fishes from China. The tissue residue guideline for protection of birds in China is recommended to be 12.0 ng ∑DDT/g food.     

Reactions of vitamin B12r with polyhalogenated hydrocarbon pesticides

The reaction of vitamin B_12r, generated by photolysis of methylcobalamin under a nitrogen atmosphere, with 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT), results in extensive dechlorination and formation of 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDD) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE) as the major products. Minor quantities of 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2-chloroethane (DDMS), 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2-chloroethylene (DDMU), 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDO), and 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDNU) were also formed. Reaction of vitamin B_12r with DDD results in the production of DDMU and DDMS, the latter of which can react to produce DDNU and DDO. DDE and DDMU do not react with vitamin B_12r. The results obtained are suggestive of a vitamin B_12r-mediated dechlorination pathway for polyhalogenated hydrocarbon pesticides.     

A Comparison of Ultrasonication and Soxhlet Methods for DDT Extraction from Soil

The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy of ultrasonication extraction of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis[p-chlorophenyl]ethane (DDT), 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis[p-chlorophenyl]ethane (DDD), and 2,2-bis[p-chlorophenyl]1,1-dichloro-ethylene (DDE) residues in soil for the purposes of saving time, minimizing generation of hazardous solvent wastes, and reducing costs associated with monitoring contaminant concentrations at remediation sites. An ultrasonic extraction method was developed for DDT, DDD, and DDE residues in soil, and the efficiency of extraction using an ultrasonic cavitator was compared to the traditional soxhlet method by GC-MS. Un-contaminated soil was spiked with analytes DDT, DDD, and DDE at 0.1,1.0,10.0, and 100.0?mg/ kg. Experiments were performed in triplicate, and recoveries of analytes were determined and statistically compared. Results indicate that ultrasonic extraction is a suitable preparatory method for analysis of DDT, DDD, and DDE residues in soil. For spike concentrations of 1?mg/kg to 100?mg/kg, ultrasonication extraction resulted in recoveries in excess of 80% in all but one case. Most recoveries obtained by ultrasonication extraction were statistically indistinguishable from or slightly lower than recoveries obtained by soxhlet extraction. In addition, the lower temperatures employed in ultrasonication extraction may have reduced the amount of thermal degradation of DDT to DDE, a phenomenon that could occur during soxhlet extraction.     

Cometabolism of 1,1-Dichloro-2,2-Bis(4-Chlorophenyl)Ethylene by Pseudomonas acidovorans M3GY Grown on Biphenyl

1,1-Dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE), a toxic breakdown product of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT), has traditionally been viewed as a dead-end metabolite: there are no published reports detailing enzymatic ring fission of DDE by bacteria in either soil or pure culture. In this study, we investigated the ability of Pseudomonas acidovorans M3GY to transform DDE and its unchlorinated analog, 1,1-diphenylethylene (DPE). While strain M3GY could grow on DPE, cells grown on DPE as a sole carbon source could not degrade DDE. Cells grown on biphenyl, however, did degrade DDE. Mass balance analysis of [¹⁴C]DDE showed transformation of more than 40% of the recoverable radioactivity. Nine chlorinated metabolites produced from DDE were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry–Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (GC-MS-FTIR) from cultures grown on biphenyl. Recovery of these metabolites demonstrates that biphenyl-grown cells degrade DDE through a meta-fission pathway. This study provides a possible model for biodegradation of DDE in soil by biphenyl-utilizing bacteria.     

Biodegradation of organochlorine pesticides by bacteria grown in microniches of the porous structure of green bean coffee

In this paper, the authors propose a model for DDT biodegradation by bacteria grown in microniches created in the porous structure of green bean coffee. Five bacteria isolated from coffee beans, identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. putida, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Flavimonas oryzihabitans, and Morganella morganii. P. aeruginosa and F. oryzihabitans, were selected for pesticide degradation. Bacteria were selected according to their ability to grow on mineral media amended with: (a) glucose (10 g l⁻¹), (b) peptone (2 g l⁻¹), and (c) ground coffee beans (2 g l⁻¹). These three media were supplemented with 50 mg l⁻¹ of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (4-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) and endosulfan. GC/MS analysis demonstrated that the greatest DDT removal was obtained in the medium supplemented with coffee beans, where 1,1-dichloro-2,2′-bis (4-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE), 1-chloro-2,2-bis (4-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDMU) and 2,2′-bis (p-chlorophenyl)ethanol (DDOH) were detected. DDMU is a product of the reductive dechlorination of DDE, which in this system could be carried out under the anaerobic conditions in microniches present in the porous structure of the coffee bean. This was supported by scanning electron microscopy. Green bean coffee could be used as a nutrient source and as a support for bacterial growth in pesticide degradation.     

Biodegradation of DDT by stimulation of indigenous microbial populations in soil with cosubstrates

Stimulation of native microbial populations in soil by the addition of small amounts of secondary carbon sources (cosubstrates) and its effect on the degradation and theoretical mineralization of DDT [l,l,l-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] and its main metabolites, DDD and DDE, were evaluated. Microbial activity in soil polluted with DDT, DDE and DDD was increased by the presence of phenol, hexane and toluene as cosubstrates. The consumption of DDT was increased from 23 % in a control (without cosubstrate) to 67, 59 and 56 % in the presence of phenol, hexane and toluene, respectively. DDE was completely removed in all cases, and DDD removal was enhanced from 67 % in the control to ~86 % with all substrates tested, except for acetic acid and glucose substrates. In the latter cases, DDD removal was either inhibited or unchanged from the control. The optimal amount of added cosubstrate was observed to be between 0.64 and 2.6 mg C $ {\text{g}}^{ - 1}_{\text{dry soil}} $ . The CO₂ produced was higher than the theoretical amount for complete cosubstrate mineralization indicating possible mineralization of DDT and its metabolites. Bacterial communities were evaluated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, which indicated that native soil and the untreated control presented a low bacterial diversity. The detected bacteria were related to soil microorganisms and microorganisms with known biodegradative potential. In the presence of toluene a bacterium related to Azoarcus, a genus that includes species capable of growing at the expense of aromatic compounds such as toluene and halobenzoates under denitrifying conditions, was detected.     

Metabolism of 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene by Alcaligenes denitrificans

Metabolism of 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE), a persistent metabolite of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT), by an Alcaligenes denitrificans was optimal under `non-shaking' conditions, was accelerated by adding 1 g glucose l^–1, and inhibited by 1 g sodium acetate l^–1 or 1 g sodium succinate l^–1. Addition of biphenyl, in the vapor form, to the reaction mixture did not enhance DDE metabolism. During the reaction, accumulation of conventional metabolites, 1-chloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDMU) and 4-chlorobenzoate, was not observed.     

Pesticide-induced changes in hepatic microsomal enzyme systems. Some effects of 1,1-di(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethylene (DDE) and 1,1-di(p-chlorophenyl)-2-chloroethylene (DDMU) in the rat and Japanese quail

Hepatic microsomal protein, cytochrome P₄₅₀, aniline hydroxylase and N-ethylmorphine demethylase as well as tissue residues were measured following the feeding of low levels of 1,1-di(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethylene (DDE) or 1,1-di(p-chlorophenyl)-2-chloroethylene (DDMU) to rats and Japanese quail. DDMU caused considerable elevation of the levels of most of the parameters measured in the quail even by comparison to the potent inducer, DDE, which gave greater tissue residues. In the rat where tissue residues of both DDE and DDMU were lower than those in quail, DDE caused greater changes in the measured enzyme levels than DDMU. Most of the changes caused by DDMU in the quail were larger than those observed following the ingestion of comparable levels of any other 1,1-di(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane (DDT) metabolite in the rat or the quail. In the light of these and other published results it is suggested that the metabolic pathway for DDT in birds differs from that in mammals and probably gives rise through a pathway involving DDMU to a highly active liver inducer.     

Isolation of Terrabacter sp. Strain DDE-1, Which Metabolizes 1,1-Dichloro-2,2-Bis(4-Chlorophenyl)Ethylene when Induced with Biphenyl

Terrabacter sp. strain DDE-1, able to metabolize 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE) in pure culture when induced with biphenyl, was enriched from a 1-1-1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane residue-contaminated agricultural soil. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of culture extracts revealed a number of DDE catabolites, including 2-(4′-chlorophenyl)-3,3-dichloropropenoic acid, 2-(4′-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxy acetic acid, 2-(4′-chlorophenyl) acetic acid, and 4-chlorobenzoic acid.     

A dehydrochlorinase-based pH change assay for determination of DDT in sprayed surfaces

A glutathione S-transferase (GST) from the mosquito Aedes aegypti (aagste2), selected in the field as a major metabolic resistance enzyme for this parasite vector, was employed to produce a highly specific assay for the determination of DDT [1,1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene]. Detection is based on the pH change occurring in an appropriate buffer system by the concomitant release of H⁺ during the aagste2-catalyzed dehydrochlorination reaction and is monitored potentiometrically or colorimetrically in the presence of a pH marker. The theoretical limit of detection (LOD) of the assay is 3.8 μg/ml, and the linear range of quantification is 12 to 250 μg/ml. The method does not recognize biologically inactive DDT analogues or major DDT photodegradants and breakdown molecules, and it is highly specific for the insecticidal p.p’DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane]. The biosensor was validated with a number of insecticide swabs from DDT-sprayed surfaces and found to be reproducible and reliable as compared with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (correlation coefficient R² = 0.98). Given the current expansion of DDT residual sprayings in many regions of Africa as a key strategic intervention for malaria vector control, this simple assay to monitor DDT levels for vector control spraying programs could have an important impact on malaria control.     

Metabolism of DDT and Kelthane in cell suspension cultures of parsley (Petroselinum hortense,Hoffm.) and soybean (Glycine max L.)

Cell suspension cultures of parsley and soybean were incubated for 44 to 48 h with¹⁴C-labeled DDT or Kelthane; autoclaved cultures were used as controls. Most of the radioactivity became associated with the cells, and metabolites were isolated by a sequential extraction procedure. The metabolites amounted to 0.6 to 2.2% of the applied pesticide. Relatively non-polar metabolites were identified as DDE in the case of DDT, and remained unidentified in the case of Kelthane. Polar metabolites were also isolated and are as yet unidentified. They were chromatographically different from the known and less polar metabolites of DDT and Kelthane reported from animal and insect studies. [DDT-1,1,1-Trichloro-2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethane; Kelthane=(1,1-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloro-ethanol; DDE=1,1-Dichloro-2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethylene.]Abbreviations DDT 1,1,1-Trichloro-2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethane - Kelthane (1,1-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloro-ethanol - DDE 1,1-Dichloro-2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethylene - DDA 2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)-acetic acid - DDOH 2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethanol - DDD 1,1-Dichloro-2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethane - DBP 4,4-Dichloro-benzophenone - DDMU 1-Chloro-2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)-ethylene - DDM Bis-(4-chlorophenyl)-methane - FW-152 1,1-Bis-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloro-ethanol - SDS sodium dodecylsulphate     

Biodegradation of DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane] by the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Extensive biodegradation of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) by the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium was demonstrated by disappearance and mineralization of [14C]DDT in nutrient nitrogen-deficient cultures. Mass balance studies demonstrated the formation of polar and water-soluble metabolites during degradation. Hexane-extractable metabolites identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry included 1,1,-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDD), 2,2,2-trichloro-1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethanol (dicofol), 2,2-dichloro-1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethanol (FW-152), and 4,4'-dichlorobenzophenone (DBP). DDD was the first metabolite observed; it appeared after 3 days of incubation and disappeared from culture upon continued incubation. This, as well as the fact that [14C]dicofol was mineralized, demonstrates that intermediates formed during DDT degradation are also metabolized. These results demonstrate that the pathway for DDT degradation in P. chrysosporium is clearly different from the major pathway proposed for microbial or environmental degradation of DDT. Like P. chrysosporium ME-446 and BKM-F-1767, the white rot fungi Pleurotus ostreatus, Phellinus weirii, and Polyporus versicolor also mineralized DDT.     

Biodegradation of DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane] by the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

Extensive biodegradation of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) by the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium was demonstrated by disappearance and mineralization of [14C]DDT in nutrient nitrogen-deficient cultures. Mass balance studies demonstrated the formation of polar and water-soluble metabolites during degradation. Hexane-extractable metabolites identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry included 1,1,-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDD), 2,2,2-trichloro-1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethanol (dicofol), 2,2-dichloro-1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethanol (FW-152), and 4,4'-dichlorobenzophenone (DBP). DDD was the first metabolite observed; it appeared after 3 days of incubation and disappeared from culture upon continued incubation. This, as well as the fact that [14C]dicofol was mineralized, demonstrates that intermediates formed during DDT degradation are also metabolized. These results demonstrate that the pathway for DDT degradation in P. chrysosporium is clearly different from the major pathway proposed for microbial or environmental degradation of DDT. Like P. chrysosporium ME-446 and BKM-F-1767, the white rot fungi Pleurotus ostreatus, Phellinus weirii, and Polyporus versicolor also mineralized DDT.     

Enhancement of hepatic microsomal drug oxidation and glucuronidation in rat by 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT)

A single dose of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) (160 mg/kg i.p.) enhanced the monooxygenase step of drug biotransformation in rat liver. The O-demethylation of p-nitroanisole was especially increased, a peak in activity approximately 5-fold compared with controls being attained in 7 days. On the other hand, there was only a 2-fold increase in aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity.DDT increased the cytochrome P-450 content of the liver, this increase coincided well with that in p-nitroanisole O-demethylation activity.The UDPglucuronosyltransferase activity of liver microsomes was not enhanced by DDT administration, unless the microsomes were pretreated to reveal latent activity prior to assay. After trypsin digestion of microsomes a maximum increase in activity of approximately 3-fold was observed as a result of DDT dosage. The canonic surfactant cetylpyridinium chloride was less active in revealing the latent UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity, and two other membrane perturbants, the detergent digitonin and phospholipase A, were unable to show enhancement in UDPglucuronosyltransferase as a result of DDT dosage.     

Metabolic and mutagenicity studies on DDT and 15 derivatives. Detection of 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethane and 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethyl acetate (kelthane acetate) as mutagens in Salmonella typhimurium and of 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene oxide, a likely metabolite, as an alkylating agent.

Using a novel in vitro technique, whereby microsomal enzymes were embedded in an agar layer to prolong their viability, 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene(DDNU), a mammalian metabolite of 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane (DDT), was converted by microsomal mono-oxygenases of mouse liver into 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,2-ethanediol (DDNU-diol). The putative epoxide intermediate, 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene oxide (DDNU-oxide), a new compound, was synthesized; it showed weak alkylating activity with 4-(4-nitrobenzyl)pyridine but was not mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100 and TA98. DDT and 13 of its metabolites or putative synthetic derivatives, including 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethylene (DDE), 1 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2-chloroethylene (DDMU), 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2-chloroethane (DDMS)-DDNU, 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethanol (DDOH), bis(p-chlorophenyl)acetic acid (DDA) and 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethanol (Kethane), caused no mutagenic effects in S. typhimurium strains TA100 or TA98, either in the presence or absence of a mouse-liver microsomal fraction. 1,1-Bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethyl acetate (Kelthane acetate) was a direct-acting mutagen in strain TA100, whereas 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethane (DDD) was mutagenic in TA98, only in the presence of a mouse-liver microsomal system. The results are discussed in relation to possible pathways whereby DDT is activated to mutagenic and/or carcinogenic metabolites.     

Degradation of chlorinated pesticide DDT by litter-decomposing basidiomycetes

One hundred and two basidiomycete strains (93 species in 41 genera) that prefer a soil environment were examined for screening of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) biodegradation. Three strains within two litter-decomposing genera, Agrocybe and Marasmiellus, were selected for their DDT biotransformation capacity. Eight metabolites; 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDD), two monohydroxy-DDTs, monohydroxy-DDD, 2,2-dichloro-1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethanol, putative 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethanol and two unidentified compounds were detected from the culture with Marasmiellus sp. TUFC10101. A P450 inhibitor, 1-ABT, inhibited the formation of monohydroxy-DDTs and monohydroxy-DDD from DDT and DDD, respectively. These results indicated that oxidative pathway which was catalyzed by P450 monooxygenase exist beside reductive dechlorination of DDT. Monohydroxylation of the aromatic rings of DDT (and DDD) by fungal P450 is reported here for the first time.     

A novel metabolic pathway for biodegradation of DDT by the white rot fungi, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phlebia lindtneri</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phlebia brevispora</Emphasis>

1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) was used as the substrate for a degradation experiment with the white rot fungi Phlebia lindtneri GB-1027 and Phlebia brevispora TMIC34596, which are capable of degrading polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Pure culture of P. lindtneri and P. brevispora with DDT (25 μmol l⁻¹) showed that 70 and 30% of DDT, respectively, disappeared in a low-nitrogen medium after a 21-day incubation period. The metabolites were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Both fungi metabolized DDT to 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDD), 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)acetic acid (DDA) and 4,4-dichlorobenzophenone (DBP). Additionally, DDD was converted to DDA and DBP. DDA was converted to DBP and 4,4-dichlorobenzhydrol (DBH). While DBP was treated as substrate, DBH and three hydroxylated metabolites, including one dihydroxylated DBP and two different isomers of monohydroxylated DBH, were produced from fungal cultures, and these hydroxylated metabolites were efficiently inhibited by the addition of a cytochrome P-450 inhibitor, piperonyl butoxide. These results indicate that the white rot fungi P. lindtneri and P. brevispora can degrade DBP/DBH through hydroxylation of the aromatic ring. Moreover, the single-ring aromatic metabolites, such as 4-chlorobenzaldehyde, 4-chlorobenzyl alcohol and 4-chlorobenzoic acid, were found as metabolic products of all substrate, demonstrating that the cleavage reaction of the aliphatic-aryl carbon bond occurs in the biodegradation process of DDT by white rot fungi.     

The separation of multiple forms of housefly 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl)-ethane (DDT) dehydrochlorinase from glutathione S-aryltransferase by electrofocusing and electrophoresis

Electrophoresis in a sucrose gradient at pH values between 5 and 8 separated housefly DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] dehydrochlorinase into two major fractions. GSH S-aryltransferase under similar conditions migrated as a single peak of activity. Separation of housefly homogenates or partially purified enzyme preparations by electrofocusing in a natural pH gradient also showed the presence of multiple forms of DDT dehydrochlorinase.