Modified ortho-cleavage pathway in Alcaligenes eutrophus JMP134 for the degradation of 4-methylcatechol

Abstract 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetate-grown cells of Alcaligenes eutrophus JMP134 [1] metabolized 4-methylphenoxyacetate via a modified ortho -cleavage pathway. 4-Carboxymethyl-4-methylbut-2-en-1,4-olide (4-methyl-2-enelactone), 4-carboxymethyl-3-methylbut-2-en-1,4-olide (3-methyl-2-enelactone) and 4-methyl-3-oxoadipate, were identified as intermediates.     

Biodegradability of mixtures of chloro- and methylsubstituted aromatics: Simultaneous degradation of 3-chlorobenzoate and 3-methylbenzoate

Summary Strains degrading 3-methylbenzoate (3MB) via ortho-cleavage were enriched by preselection with 4-carboxymethyl-2-methylbut-2-en-1,4-olide (2-methyllactone, 2ML) as sole carbon source or by counter selection of meta-cleaving strains using 3-chlorobenzoate (3CB) as suicide substrate. These strains and microorganisms obtained from continuous cultures with 3CB/3MB (Schmidt et al. 1985) or with chlorophenols and cresols (Schmidt 1987) were grouped according to their abilities to grow on 3CB, 3MB or 2ML and their mode of ring-cleavage during growth with aromatic substrates. Each group was tested for its capability to mineralize mixtures of 3CB and 3MB and the extent of DOC-removal was quantified.     

Isolation and identification of two novel butenolides as products of dimethylbenzoate metabolism by Rhodococcus rhodochrous N75

Abstract 3,4-Dimethylbenzoic acid and 3,5-dimethylbenzoic acid were both oxidised by 4-methylbenzoate ( p -toluate)-grown cells of Rhodococcus rhodochrous N75 via the ortho -pathway through the intermediates 3,4- and 3,5-dimethylcatechol, respectively. Owing to the formation of the two novel dead-end metabolites, 4-carboxymethyl-2,3-dimethylbut-2-en-1,4-olide and 4-carboxymethyl-2,4-dimethylbut-2-en-1,4-olide from these substrates, 3,4- and 3,5-dimethylbenzoate did not serve as growth substrates for the strain.     

Degradation of 3-chlorobiphenyl by in vivo constructed hybrid pseudomonads

Abstract 3-Chlorobiphenyl-degrading bacteria were obtained from the mating between Pseudomonas putida strain BN10 and Pseudomonas sp. strain B13. Strains such as BN210 resulted from the transfer of the genes coding the enzyme sequence for the degradation of chlorocatechols from B13 into BN10, whereas B13 derivatives such as B131 have acquired the biphenyl degradation sequence from BN10. During growth of the hybrid strains on 3-chlorobiphenyl 90% chloride was released. Activities of phenylcatechol 2,3-dioxygenase, benzoate dioxygenase, catechol 1,2-dioxygenase, chloromuconate cyloisomerase and 4-carboxymethyl-enebut-2-en-4-olide hydrolase were found in 3-chlorobiphenyl-grown cells. The hybrid strains were found to convert some congeners of the Aroclor 1221 mixture such as mono- and dichloro-substituted biphenyls.     

β-Methylmuconolactone, a key intermediate in the dissimilation of methylaromatic compounds by a modified 3-oxoadipate pathway evolved in nocardioform actinomycetes

Abstract p -Toluate-grown cells of Rhodococcus ruber N75, R. corallinus N657, R. rhodochrous N5 and Rhodococcus strains BCN1, BCN2 and 4PH1 metabolized 4-methylcatechol by a modified 3-oxoadipate pathway. Steps in the conversion of this compound to 4-methyl-3-oxoadipic acid were investigated. The conversion of 4-carboxymethyl-3-methylbut-2-en-1, 4-olide to 4-carboxymethyl-3-methylbut-2-en-1, 4-olide by a new enzyme is described.     

Purification and characterization of 4-methylmuconolactone methylisomerase, a novel enzyme of the modified 3-oxoadipate pathway in the gram-negative bacterium Alcaligenes eutrophus JMP 134.

4-Carboxymethyl-4-methylbut-2-en-4-olide (4-methyl-2-enelactone) isomerase, transforming 4-methyl-2-enelactone to 3-methyl-2-enelactone, was purified from a derivative strain of Pseudomonas sp. B13, named B13 FR1, carrying the plasmid pFRC2OP. This plasmid contained the isomerase gene cloned from Alcaligenes eutrophus JMP 134, which uses 4-methyl-2-enelactone as a carbon source. The enzyme consists of a single peptide chain of Mr 40,000 as judged by SDS/PAGE. In addition to 4-methyl-2-enelactone, the putative reaction intermediate, 1-methyl-3,7-dioxo-2,6-dioxy-bicyclo[3.3.0]octane (1-methylbislactone), was a substrate for the enzyme, but kinetic data presented did not favour its role as a reaction intermediate. Isomeric methyl-substituted 4-carboxymethylbut-2-en-4-olides were neither substrates nor inhibitors. Possible reaction mechanisms are discussed.     

Biosynthesis of a Cyclic Tautomer1of (3-Methylmaleyl)acetone from 4-Hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzoate byPseudomonassp. HH35 but Not byRhodococcus rhodochrousN75

Here we report that the bacterial catabolism of 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzoic acid 1 takes a different course inRhodococcus rhodochrousN75 andPseudomonassp. strain HH35. The former organism accumulates a degradation metabolite of the acid which we isolated and identified as 2,6-dimethylhydroquinone 2. The latter bacterial strain converts the acid and the hydroquinone into a dead-end metabolite. This novel compound was characterised unequivocally by mass spectrometry and¹H and¹³C NMR and UV spectroscopy as 4-acetonyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylbut-2-en-1,4-olide 4, a cyclic tautomer of (3-methylmaleyl)acetone, which exists as the enol carboxylate form 3 in aqueous solution.     

Purification and characterization of 4-methylmuconolactone methyl-isomerase, a novel enzyme of the modified 3-oxoadipate pathway in nocardioform actinomycetes.

The novel enzyme 4-methyl-2-enelactone methyl-isomerase was detected in, and purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from, p-toluate-grown cells of Rhodococcus rhodocrous N75, a nocardioform actinomycete. The enzyme was very thermostable and had a native Mr of 75,500; as the monomer had an Mr of 17,000, the enzyme is probably tetrameric. The new isomerase is highly specific with respect to its lactone substrate, only accepting (+)-(4S)-4-methylmuconolactone (4-carboxymethyl-4-methylbut-2-en-1,4-olide), and the putative isomerization reaction intermediate 1-methylbislactone ((-)-1-methyl-3,7-dioxo-2,6-dioxabicyclo-[3.3.0]octane) as substrates, and yielding (-)-(4S)-3-methylmuconolactone (4-carboxymethyl-3-methylbut-2-en-1,4-olide) as product. Some other lactone analogues acted as competitive inhibitors. Our data suggest that the isomerization does not involve actual methyl migration, but proceeds via the 1-methybislactone.     

Hybrid pathway for chlorobenzoate metabolism in Pseudomonas sp. B13 derivatives.

Derivatives of Pseudomonas sp. B13 which had acquired the capability to utilize 4-chloro- and 3,5-dichlorobenzoate as a consequence of the introduction of genes of the TOL plasmid of Pseudomonas putida mt-2 were studied. The utilization of these substrates, a property not shared by the parent strains, was shown to depend upon the combined activities of enzymes from the donor and from the recipient. During growth on 3-chloro-, 4-chloro-, and 3,5-dichlorobenzoate, predominantly the toluate 1,2-deoxygenase and both dihydrodihydroxybenzoate dehydrogenases of the parent strains were induced. On the other hand, no catechol 2,3-dioxygenase from P. putida mt-2 was detectable, so that degradation of chlorocatechols by the nonproductive meta-cleavage pathway was avoided. Instead of that, chlorocatechols were subject to ortho cleavage and totally degraded by the preexisting enzymes of Pseudomonas sp. B13.     

Degradation of chlorosubstituted aromatic compounds by Pseudomonas sp. strain B13: fate of 3,5-dichlorocatechol

The degradation of 3,5-dichlorocatechol by enzymes of 3-chlorobenzoate-grown cells of Pseudomonas sp. strain B13 was studied. The following compounds were formed from 3,5-dichlorocatechol: trans-2-chloro-4-carboxymethylenebut-2-en-4-olide, cis-2-chloro-4-carboxymethylenebut-2-en-4-olide, and chloroacetylacrylate as the decarboxylation product of 2-chloromaleylacetate. They were identified by chromatographic and spectroscopic methods (UV, MS, PMR). An enzyme activity converting trans-2-chloro-4-carboxymethylenebut-2-en-4-olide into the cis-isomer was observed.Abbreviations 3CB 3-chlorobenzoate - 4CB 4-chlorobenzoate - 3,5DCB 3,5-dichlorobenzoate - 2,4D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate - NOE Nuclear-Overhauser-Effect     

Degradation of 2-chlorobenzoate by in vivo constructed hybrid pseudomonads

Abstract 5-Chlorosalicylate degrading bacteria were obtained from the mating between Pseudomonas sp. strain WR401 and Pseudomonas sp. strain B13. Further selection of the hybrid organisms for growth on 2-chlorobenzoate allowed the isolation of strains such as JH230. During growth on 2-chlorobenzoate stoichiometric amounts of chloride were released. Steps in the pathway for 2-chlorobenzoate degradation were determined by simultaneous adaptation studies, assays of enzymes in cell extracts and cooxidation of the analogous substrate 2-methylbenzoate. Results indicate that 2-chlorobenzoate was degraded to 3-chlorocatechol. Ring cleavage of 3-chlorocatechol was by a catechol 1,2-dioxygenase to from 2-chloro- cis, cis - muconate. Further degradation runs via 4-carboxymethylenebut-2-en-4-olide.     

Chemical structure and biodegradability of halogenated aromatic compounds. Halogenated muconic acids as intermediates.

Substituted muconic acids were prepared from the corresponding catechols by pyrocatechase II from Pseudomonas sp. B13. The stabilities of substituted muconic acids were compared under different pH conditions. 3-Substituted cis, cis-muconic acids cycloisomerized readily in slightly acidic solutions, whereas 2-chloro- and 2-fluoro-cis,cis-muconic acids were stable under these conditions and could be isolated as crystalline compounds. They were isomerized to the cis, trans-form in highly acidic solution (pH 1), particularly when heated to 80 degrees C. Cycloisomerization of 2-chloro-cis,cis-muconic acid in 75% (v/v) H2SO4 yields 4-carboxymethyl-2-chloro-but-2-en-4-olide (4-chloro-2,5-dihydro-5-oxo-3H-furan-2-ylacetic acid). THe cis,cis-configuration of 2-chloromuconic acid was certified by 1H n.m.r. spectroscopy and by enzymic cycloisomerization. Although the cis,cis-configuration of 2-fluoromuconic acid was confirmed by corresponding spectroscopic data, it was not cycloisomerized by crude extracts or cycloisomerase II preparations from Pseudomonas sp. B13.     

Degradation of 1,4-dichlorobenzene by enriched and constructed bacteria

Summary Three strains, RHO1, R3 and B1, tentatively identified as a Pseudomonas sp., an Alcaligenes sp. and a Pseudomonas sp. which were able to use 1,4-dichlorobenzene as the sole carbon and energy source were isolated from water of the Rhine river and from the sewage plant at Leverkusen-Bürrig. A hybrid strain, WR1313, which uses chlorobenzene as the growth substrate, was obtained by mating the benzene-growing Pseudomonas putida strain F1 with strain B13, a Pseudomonas sp. degrading chlorocatechols. Further selection of this strain for growth on 1,4-dichlorobenzene allowed the isolation of strain WR1323. During growth on 1,4-dichlorobenzene the strains released stoichiometric amounts of chloride. The affinity of the organisms to 1,4-dichlorobenzene was measured with strain R3 showing a K_s value of 1.2 mg/l. Respiration data and enzyme activities in cell extracts as well as the isolation of 3,6-dichlorocatechol from the culture fluid are consistent with the degradation of 1,4-dichlorobenzene via 3,6-dichlorocatechol, 2,5-dichloro-cis,cis-muconate, 2-chloro-4-carboxymethylenebut-2-en-4-olide.     

Expression and transfer of engineered catabolic pathways harbored by Pseudomonas spp. introduced into activated sludge microcosms.

Two genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs), Pseudomonas sp. strain B13 FR1(pFRC20P) (FR120) and Pseudomonas putida KT2440(pWWO-EB62) (EB62), were introduced into activated sludge microcosms that had the level of aeration, nutrient makeup, and microbial community structure of activated sludge reactors. FR120 contains an experimentally assembled ortho cleavage route for simultaneous degradation of 3-chlorobenzoate (3CB) and 4-methyl benzoate (4MB); EB62 contains a derivative TOL plasmid-encoded degradative pathway for toluene experimentally evolved so that it additionally processes 4-ethyl benzoate (4EB). Experiments assessed survival of the GEMs, their ability to degrade target substrates, and lateral transfer of plasmid-encoded recombinant DNA. GEMs added at initial densities of 10(6) to 10(7) bacteria per ml of activated sludge declined to stable population densities of 10(4) to 10(5) bacteria per ml. FR120 degraded combinations of 3CB and 4MB (1 mM each) following 3 days of adaptation in the microcosms. Indigenous microorganisms required an 8-day adaptation period before degradation of 4MB was observed; 3CB was degraded only after the concentration of 4MB was much reduced. The indigenous microbial community was killed when both compounds were present at concentrations of 4.0 mM. However, in parallel microcosms containing FR120, the microbial community maintained a normal density of viable cells. Indigenous microbes readily degraded 4EB (2 mM), and EB62 did not significantly increase the observed rate of degradation. In filter matings, transfer of pFRC20P, which specifies mobilization but not transfer functions, from FR120 to P. putida UWC1 was not detectable (< 10(-7) transconjugants per donor cell).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

TOL plasmid pWW0 in constructed halobenzoate-degrading Pseudomonas strains: prevention of meta pathway.

The hybrid pathway for chlorobenzoate metabolism was studied in WR211 and WR216, which were derived from Pseudomonas sp. B13 by acquisition of TOL plasmid pWW0 from Pseudomonas putida mt-2. Chlorobenzoates are utilized readily by these strains when meta cleavage of chlorocatechols is suppressed. When WR211 utilizes 3-chlorobenzoate (3CB), the expression of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase (C23O) and the catabolic activities for chloroaromatics via the ortho pathway coexist as a consequence of inactivation of the meta cleavage activity by 3-chlorocatechol. Utilization of 4-chlorobenzoate (4CB) by WR216 presupposes the suppression of C23O by a spontaneous mutation in the structural gene, so that 4-chlorocatechol is not misrouted into the meta pathway. Such C23O- mutants were also selected when WR211 was grown continuously on 3CB. Our data explain why the phenotypic characters 3CB+ and Mtol+ (m-toluate) are compatible, whereas 4CB+ and Mtol+ are incompatible.     

Degradation of chloro- and methyl-substituted benzoic acids by a genetically modified microorganism

Degradation of 3-chlorobenzoic acid (3CB), 4-chlorobenzoic acid (4CB), and 4-methylbenzoic acid (4MB) as single substrates (carbon sources) and as a substrate mixture were studied in batch and continuous culture using the genetically modified microorganism Pseudomonas sp. B13 FR1 SN45P. The strain was able to mineralize the single compounds as well as the substrate mixture completely. Conversion of the three compounds in the substrate mixture proceeded simultaneously. Maximum specific substrate conversion rates were calculated to be 0.9 g g(-1) h(-1) for 3 CB and 4CB and 1.1 g g(-1) h(-1) for 4MB. Mass balances indicated the transient accumulation of pathway intermediates during batch cultivations. Hence, the rate limiting step in the degradative pathway is not the initial microbial attack of the original substrate or its transport through the cell membrane. Degradation rates on 3CB were comparable to those of the parent strain Pseudomonas sp. B13. The stability of the degradation pathways of strain Pseudomonas sp. B13 FR1 SN45P could be demonstrated in a continuous cultivation over 3.5 months (734 generation times) on 3CB, 4MB, and 4CB, which were used as single carbon sources one after the other.     

Expression and transfer of engineered catabolic pathways harbored by Pseudomonas spp. introduced into activated sludge microcosms.

Two genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs), Pseudomonas sp. strain B13 FR1(pFRC20P) (FR120) and Pseudomonas putida KT2440(pWWO-EB62) (EB62), were introduced into activated sludge microcosms that had the level of aeration, nutrient makeup, and microbial community structure of activated sludge reactors. FR120 contains an experimentally assembled ortho cleavage route for simultaneous degradation of 3-chlorobenzoate (3CB) and 4-methyl benzoate (4MB); EB62 contains a derivative TOL plasmid-encoded degradative pathway for toluene experimentally evolved so that it additionally processes 4-ethyl benzoate (4EB). Experiments assessed survival of the GEMs, their ability to degrade target substrates, and lateral transfer of plasmid-encoded recombinant DNA. GEMs added at initial densities of 10(6) to 10(7) bacteria per ml of activated sludge declined to stable population densities of 10(4) to 10(5) bacteria per ml. FR120 degraded combinations of 3CB and 4MB (1 mM each) following 3 days of adaptation in the microcosms. Indigenous microorganisms required an 8-day adaptation period before degradation of 4MB was observed; 3CB was degraded only after the concentration of 4MB was much reduced. The indigenous microbial community was killed when both compounds were present at concentrations of 4.0 mM. However, in parallel microcosms containing FR120, the microbial community maintained a normal density of viable cells. Indigenous microbes readily degraded 4EB (2 mM), and EB62 did not significantly increase the observed rate of degradation. In filter matings, transfer of pFRC20P, which specifies mobilization but not transfer functions, from FR120 to P. putida UWC1 was not detectable (< 10(-7) transconjugants per donor cell).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Variation in the ability of Pseudomonas sp. strain B13 cultures to utilize meta-chlorobenzoate is associated with tandem amplification and deamplification of DNA

Single-colony isolates of Pseudomonas sp. strain B13 were examined for their ability to utilize benzoate (Ben) and meta-chlorobenzoate (3CB) as the sole carbon source. Scoring of B13 cultures by the replica-plating technique revealed that under nonselective conditions, B13 spontaneously formed four different types of colonies: 3CB+ Ben+, 3CB+ Ben-, 3CB- Ben-, 3CB- Ben+. Successive testing of each of the four colony types showed that each produced the same four different types of single-colony isolates. Colonies of each class had characteristic phenotypic properties with respect to the accumulation of Ben or 3CB pathway intermediate products. The physical abundance of a 4.3-kilobase DNA encoding the first three enzymes of the chlorocatechol pathway correlated with the 3CB+ phenotype. Increased abundance of the 4.3-kilobase DNA fragment was the result of tandem amplification.     

Critical Reactions in Fluorobenzoic Acid Degradation by Pseudomonas sp. B13

3-Chlorobenzoate-grown cells of Pseudomonas sp. B13 readily cometabolized monofluorobenzoates. A catabolic pathway for the isomeric fluorobenzoates is proposed on the basis of key metabolites isolated. Only 4-fluorobenzoate was utilized and totally degraded after a short period of adaptation. The isoenzymes for total degradation of chlorocatechols, being found during growth with 3-chlorobenzoate or 4-chlorophenol, were not induced in the presence of fluorobenzoates. Correspondingly, only the ordinary enzymes of the benzoate pathway were detected in 4-fluorobenzoate-grown cells. Ring cleavage of 3-fluorocatechol was recognized as a critical step in 3-fluorobenzoate degradation. 2-Fluoro-cis,cis-muconic acid was identified as a dead-end metabolite from 2- and 3-fluorobenzoate catabolism. During 2-fluorobenzoate cometabolism, fluoride is eliminated by the initial dioxygenation.     

Dienelactone hydrolase from Pseudomonas sp. strain B13.

Dienelactone hydrolase (EC 3.1.1.45) catalyzes the conversion of cis- or trans-4-carboxymethylenebut-2-en-4-olide (dienelactone) to maleylacetate. An approximately 24-fold purification from extracts of 3-chlorobenzoate-grown Pseudomonas sp. strain B13 yielded a homogeneous preparation of the enzyme. The purified enzyme crystallized readily and proved to be a monomer with a molecular weight of about 30,000. Each dienelactone hydrolase molecule contains two cysteinyl side chains. One of these was readily titrated by stoichiometric amounts of p-chloromercuribenzoate, resulting in inactivation of the enzyme; the inactivation could be reversed by the addition of dithiothreitol. The other cysteinyl side chain appeared to be protected in the native protein against chemical reaction with p-chloromercuribenzoate. The properties of sulfhydryl side chains in dienelactone hydrolase resembled those that have been characterized for bacterial 4-carboxymethylbut-3-en-4-olide (enol-lactone) hydrolases (EC 3.1.1.24), which also are monomers with molecular weights of about 30,000. The amino acid composition of the dienelactone hydrolase resembled the amino acid composition of enol-lactone hydrolase from Pseudomonas putida, and alignment of the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of the dienelactone hydrolase with the corresponding sequence of an Acinetobacter calcoaceticus enol-lactone hydrolase revealed sequence identity at 8 of the 28 positions. These observations foster the hypothesis that the lactone hydrolases share a common ancestor. The lactone hydrolases differed in one significant property: the kcat of dienelactone hydrolase was 1,800 min-1, an order of magnitude below the kcat observed with enol-lactone hydrolases. The relatively low catalytic activity of dienelactone hydrolase may demand its production at the high levels observed for induced cultures of Pseudomonas sp. strain B13.