Novel biotransformations of 4-chlorobiphenyl by a Pseudomonas sp

A bacterium, tentatively identified as a representative of the genus Pseudomonas (strain MB86), was isolated from soil contaminated by wood-preservation chemicals by using 4-chlorobenzoate as an enrichment substrate. The pseudomonad was able to grow on 4-chlorobenzoic acid and 4-chlorobiphenyl as sole carbon and energy sources. Spent culture medium from 4-chlorobiphenyl-grown cells contained 4-chlorobenzoic acid, 4'-chloroacetophenone, 2-hydroxy,2-[4'-chlorophenyl] ethane, and 2-oxo,2-[4'-chlorophenyl] ethanol as metabolites. 4'-Chloroacetophenone was produced in large amounts, possibly as a dead-end metabolite.     

Biodegradation of 4-nitrotoluene by Pseudomonas sp. strain 4NT.

A strain of Pseudomonas spp. was isolated from nitrobenzene-contaminated soil on 4-nitrotoluene as the sole source of carbon, nitrogen, and energy. The organism also grew on 4-nitrobenzaldehyde, and 4-nitrobenzoate. 4-Nitrobenzoate and ammonia were detected in the culture fluid of glucose-grown cells after induction with 4-nitrotoluene. Washed suspensions of 4-nitrotoluene- or 4-nitrobenzoate-grown cells oxidized 4-nitrotoluene, 4-nitrobenzaldehyde, 4-nitrobenzyl alcohol, and protocatechuate. Extracts from induced cells contained 4-nitrobenzaldehyde dehydrogenase, 4-nitrobenzyl alcohol dehydrogenase, and protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase activities. Under anaerobic conditions, cell extracts converted 4-nitrobenzoate or 4-hydroxylaminobenzoate to protocatechuate. Conversion of 4-nitrobenzoate to protocatechuate required NADPH. These results indicate that 4-nitrotoluene was degraded by an initial oxidation of the methyl group to form 4-nitrobenzyl alcohol, which was converted to 4-nitrobenzoate via 4-nitrobenzaldehyde. The 4-nitrobenzoate was reduced to 4-hydroxylaminobenzoate, which was converted to protocatechuate. A protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase catalyzed meta-ring fission of the protocatechuate. The detection of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde and 4-nitrobenzyl alcohol dehydrogenase and 4-nitrotoluene oxygenase activities in 4-nitrobenzoate-grown cells suggests that 4-nitrobenzoate is an inducer of the 4-nitrotoluene degradative pathway.     

Plasmid-mediated mineralization of 4-chlorobiphenyl.

Strains of Alcaligenes and Acinetobacter spp. were isolated from a mixed culture already proven to be proficient at complete mineralization of monohalogenated biphenyls. These strains were shown to harbor a 35 X 10(6)-dalton plasmid mediating a complete pathway for 4-chlorobiphenyl (4CB) oxidation. Subsequent plasmid curing of these bacteria resulted in the abolishment of the 4CB mineralization phenotype and loss of even early 4CB metabolism by Acinetobacter spp. Reestablishment of the Alcaligenes plasmid, denoted pSS50, in the cured Acinetobacter spp. via filter surface mating resulted in the restoration of 4CB mineralization abilities. 4CB mineralization, however, proved to be an unstable characteristic in some subcultured strains. Such loss was not found to coincide with any detectable alteration in plasmid size. Cultures capable of complete mineralization, as well as those limited to partial metabolism of 4CB, produced 4-chlorobenzoate as a metabolite. Demonstration of mineralization of a purified 14C-labeled chlorobenzoate showed it to be a true intermediate in 4CB mineralization. Unlike the mineralization capability, the ability to produce a metabolite has proven to be stable on subculture. These results indicate the occurrence of a novel plasmid, or evolved catabolic plasmid, that mediates the complete mineralization of 4CB.     

Cloning of bacterial genes specifying degradation of 4-chlorobiphenyl from Pseudomonas putida OU83.

Genes capable of 4-chlorobiphenyl (4-CBP) degradation were cloned from 4-CBP-degrading Pseudomonas putida OU83 by using a genomic library which was constructed in the broad-host-range cosmid vector pCP13. P. putida AC812 containing chimeric cosmid-expressing enzymes involved in the 4-CBP degradation pathway were identified by detecting 3-phenylcatechol dioxygenase activity (3-PDA). Chimeric cosmid clones pOH83, pOH84, pOH85, pOH87, and pOH88 positive for 3-PDA grew in synthetic basal medium containing 4-CBP (5 mM) as a carbon source. Restriction digestion analysis of recombinant cosmids showed DNA inserts ranging from 6 to 30 kilobase pairs. Southern hybridization data revealed that the cloned DNA inserts originated from strain OU83. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the metabolites of P. putida AC812(pOH88) incubated with 4-CBP and 4'-chloro-3-phenylcatechol showed the formation of 4-chlorobenzoic acid and benzoic acid. These results demonstrate that the cloned DNA fragments contain genes encoding for chlorobiphenyl dioxygenase (cbpA), dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (cbpB), 4'-chloro-3-phenylcatechol dioxygenase (cbpC), a meta-cleavage compound (a chloro derivative of 2-hydroxy-6-oxo-6-phenylhexa-2,4-dienoate) hydrolase (cbpD), and a new dechlorinating activity (dcpE). The location of the cbpC gene specifying 3-PDA was determined by subcloning an EcoRI DNA fragment (9.8 kilobase pairs) of pOH88 in plasmid vector pUC19. The cloned gene encoding 3-PDA was expressed in Escherichia coli HB101 and had substrate specificity only for 3-phenylcatechol and 4'-chloro-3-phenylcatechol.     

Biodegradation of p-toluenesulphonamide by a Pseudomonas sp.

A bacterium capable of utilising p-toluenesulphonamide was isolated from activated sludge. The isolated strain designated PTSA was identified as a Pseudomonas sp. using chemotaxonomic and genetic studies. Pseudomonas PTSA grew on p-toluenesulphonamide in a chemostat with approximately 90% release of sulphate and 80% release of ammonium. The isolate was also able to grow on 4-carboxybenzenesulphonamide and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate but did not grow on p-toluenesulphonate. The transient appearance of 4-hydroxymethylbenzenesulphonamide and 4-carboxybenzenesulphonamide during p-toluenesulphonamide degradation proves oxidation of the methyl group is the initial attack in the biodegradation pathway. Both metabolites of p-toluenesulphonamide degradation were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. 4-Carboxybenzenesulphonamide is probably converted into 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate and amidosulphurous acid. The latter is a chemically unstable compound in aqueous solutions and immediately converted into sulphite and ammonium. Both sulphite and ammonium were formed during degradation of 4-carboxybenzenesulphonamide.     

一株假单胞菌(Pseudomonas sp.)石油脱有机氮分析

为了探讨咔唑降解菌在石油中的脱氮性能, 从研究咔唑降解菌Pseudomonas sp. XLDN4-9在双液相系统中降解咔唑的性能出发, 分别考察了XLDN4-9休止细胞体系对原油、润滑油及柴油的脱氮效果, 并借助于GC-MS分析了柴油中咔唑及其衍生物的降解状况。结果表明, 正十四烷-水系统有利于咔唑的降解; 以低氮柴油代替正十四烷, 2 g/L咔唑可在15 h内降解95.2%; XLDN4-9休止细胞体系对原油、润滑油、柴油均有显著脱氮效果。在柴油脱氮过程中, 发现3 天后, 99%的咔唑被降解, 四种单甲基咔唑的降解率为63.4%~87.6%, 二甲基咔唑共降解了15%。     

一株假单胞菌(Pseudomonas sp.)石油脱有机氮分析

为了探讨咔唑降解菌在石油中的脱氮性能, 从研究咔唑降解菌Pseudomonas sp. XLDN4-9在双液相系统中降解咔唑的性能出发, 分别考察了XLDN4-9休止细胞体系对原油、润滑油及柴油的脱氮效果, 并借助于GC-MS分析了柴油中咔唑及其衍生物的降解状况。结果表明, 正十四烷-水系统有利于咔唑的降解; 以低氮柴油代替正十四烷, 2 g/L咔唑可在15 h内降解95.2%; XLDN4-9休止细胞体系对原油、润滑油、柴油均有显著脱氮效果。在柴油脱氮过程中, 发现3 天后, 99%的咔唑被降解, 四种单甲基咔唑的降解率为63.4%~87.6%, 二甲基咔唑共降解了15%。     

Degradation of bromacil by a Pseudomonas sp.

A gram-negative rod, identified as a Pseudomonas sp., was isolated from soil by using bromacil as the sole source of carbon and energy. During growth on bromacil or 5-bromouracil, almost stoichiometric amounts of bromide were released. The bacterium was shown to harbor two plasmids approximately 60 and 100 kilobases in size. They appeared to be associated with the ability to utilize bromacil as a sole source of carbon and also with resistance to ampicillin. This microorganism also showed the potential to decontaminate soil samples fortified with bromacil under laboratory conditions.     

Bacillus mesophilum sp. nov., strain IITR-54T,a novel 4-chlorobiphenyl dechlorinating bacterium

The taxonomic position of a Gram-positive, endospore-forming bacterium isolated from soil sample collected from an industrial site was analyzed by a polyphasic approach. The strain designated as IITR-54^T matched most of the phenotypic and chemical characteristics of the genus Bacillus and represents a novel species. It was found to biodegrade 4-chlorobiphenyl through dechlorination and was isolated through enrichment procedure from an aged polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated soil. Both resting cell assay and growth under aerobic liquid conditions using 4-chlorobiphenyl as sole source of carbon along with 0.01 % yeast extract, formation of chloride ions was measured. 16S rRNA (1,489 bases) nucleotide sequence of isolated strain was compared with those of closely related Bacillus type strains and confirmed that the strain belongs to the genus Bacillus. Strain IITR-54^T differs from all other species of Bacillus by at least 2.1 % at the 16S rRNA level, and the moderately related species are Bacillus oceanisediminis (97.9 %) followed by Bacillus infantis (97.7 %), Bacillus firmus (97.4 %), Bacillus drentensis (97.3 %), Bacillus circulans (97.2 %), Bacillus soli (97.1 %), Bacillus horneckiae (97.1 %), Bacillus pocheonensis (97.1 %) and Bacillus bataviensis (97.1 %), respectively. The cell wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the major isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. Major fatty acids are iso-C_15:0 (32.4 %) and anteiso-C_15:0 (27.4 %). Predominant polar lipids are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed the genotypic and phenotypic distinctiveness of strain IITR-54^T with its phylogenetic relatives and suggest that the strain IITR-54^T should be recognized as a novel species, for which the name Bacillus mesophilum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IITR-54^T (= MTCC 11060^T = JCM 19208^T).     

Degradation of 4-aminophenol by newly isolated Pseudomonas sp. strain ST-4

Aromatic compounds and their substituted forms are hazardous to the environment. Biodegradation by microorganisms can be used to remove these pollutants from soil and water. During the present investigations, Pseudomonas sp. strain ST-4 was used for the degradation of 4-aminophenol. The strain was able to use 4-aminophenol as growth substrate showing growth up to 400 ppm on mineral salt media plates. In broth, degradation up to 84% was observed. Induction with 4-aminophenol proved to be effective as it increased the degradation rate more than by the uninduced cell. Biodegradation was found to be more effective than autoxidation of 4-aminophenol, indicating bioremediation as main process to eliminate aromatic amines. In order to locate the responsible genes for degradation, curing and then isolation of plasmid showed the involvement of plasmid encoded genes in this mechanism since the cured strains do not grow with 4-aminophenol.     

Pseudomonas prosekii sp. nov., a Novel Psychrotrophic Bacterium from Antarctica

During Czech expeditions at James Ross Island, Antarctica, in the years 2007–2009, the bacterial diversity of the genus Pseudomonas was studied. Twelve fluorescent Pseudomonas strains were isolated from various samples and were subjected to a detailed taxonomic study. A polyphasic approach included genotypic and phenotypic analyses. The genotypic analysis involved sequencing of rrs, rpoB and rpoD genes, DNA–DNA hybridization (DDH) studies as well as manual ribotyping using HindIII endonuclease. The phenotypic characterization included conventional tests as well as biotyping using the Biolog system, protein profiling by SDS-PAGE, and MALDI-TOF MS analysis. Our taxonomic study revealed that all isolates belonged to the same Pseudomonas species with psychrotrophic growth not exceeding 37 °C. The cultures showed a unique position among the phylogenetically related pseudomonads. DDH experiment between the proposed type strain of the antarctic isolates and the closest neighbour P. arsenicoxydans CCM 8423^T showed only 40.9–50.1 % similarity, thus confirming that the characterized strains do not belong to the P. arsenicoxydans species. According to the results obtained we propose the name P. prosekii sp. nov. for this novel Pseudomonas taxon with type strain AN/28/1^T (=CCM 7990^T and LMG 26867^T).     

A meta cleavage pathway for 4-chlorobenzoate, an intermediate in the metabolism of 4-chlorobiphenyl by Pseudomonas cepacia P166.

Bacterial degradation of biphenyl and polychlorinated biphenyls proceeds by a well-studied pathway which produces benzoate and 2-hydroxypent-2,4-dienoate (or, in the case of polychlorinated biphenyls, the chlorinated derivatives of these compounds). Pseudomonas cepacia P166 utilizes 4-chlorobiphenyl for growth and produces 4-chlorobenzoate as a central intermediate. In this study we found that strain P166 further transforms 4-chlorobenzoate to 4-chlorocatechol, which is mineralized by a meta cleavage pathway. Key metabolites which we identified include the meta cleavage product (5-chloro-2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde), 5-chloro-2-hydroxymuconate, 5-chloro-2-oxopent-4-enoate, 5-chloro-4-hydroxy-2-oxopentanoate, and chloroacetate. Chloroacetate accumulated transiently, and slow but stoichiometric dehalogenation was observed.     

Biodegradation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene by a Pseudomonas sp.

Previous studies of the biodegradation of nonpolar nitroaromatic compounds have suggested that microorganisms can reduce the nitro groups but cannot cleave the aromatic ring. We report here the initial steps in a pathway for complete biodegradation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) by a Pseudomonas sp. isolated from a four-member consortium enriched with DNT. The Pseudomonas sp. degraded DNT as the sole source of carbon and energy under aerobic conditions with stoichiometric release of nitrite. During induction of the enzymes required for growth on DNT, 4-methyl-5-nitrocatechol (MNC) accumulated transiently in the culture fluid when cells grown on acetate were transferred to medium containing DNT as the sole carbon and energy source. Conversion of DNT to MNC in the presence of 18O2 revealed the simultaneous incorporation of two atoms of molecular oxygen, which demonstrated that the reaction was catalyzed by a dioxygenase. Fully induced cells degraded MNC rapidly with stoichiometric release of nitrite. The results indicate an initial dioxygenase attack at the 4,5 position of DNT with the concomitant release of nitrite. Subsequent reactions lead to complete biodegradation and removal of the second nitro group as nitrite.     

Degradation of 2-chloroallylalcohol by a Pseudomonas sp.

Three Pseudomonas strains capable of utilizing 2-chloroallylalcohol (2-chloropropenol) as the sole carbon source for growth were isolated from soil. The fastest growth was observed with strain JD2, with a generation time of 3.6 h. Degradation of 2-chloroallylalcohol was accompanied by complete dehalogenation. Chloroallylalcohols that did not support growth were dechlorinated by resting cells; the dechlorination level was highest if an alpha-chlorine substituent was present. Crude extracts of strain JD2 contained inducible alcohol dehydrogenase activity that oxidized mono- and dichloroallylalcohols but not trichloroallylalcohol. The enzyme used phenazine methosulfate as an artificial electron acceptor. Further oxidation yielded 2-chloroacrylic acid. The organism also produced hydrolytic dehalogenases converting 2-chloroacetic acid and 2-chloropropionic acid.     

Cometabolism of DDT analogs by a Pseudomonas sp.

A Pseudomonas sp. capable of growth on several nonchlorinated and mono-p-chloro-substituted analogs of DDT as a sole carbon source degraded bis(p-chlorophenyl)methane and 1,1-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane only in the presence of diphenylethane. The products p-chlorophenylacetic acid and 2-(p-chlorophenyl)-propionic acid were not further metabolized by the bacterium. Other chlorinated analogs of DDT were found to be recalcitrant to cometabolic degradation with diphenylethane.     

Metabolism of DDT analogues by a Pseudomonas sp.

A Pseudomonas sp. rapidly metabolized several nonchlorinated analogues of DDT, with the exception of 2,2-diphenylethanol, as the sole carbon source. Several of the mono-p-chloro-substituted diphenyl analogues were also metabolized as the sole carbon source by the bacterium. The resulting chlorinated aromatic acid metabolites were not further metabolized. The isolate was unable to metabolize p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl analogues as the sole carbon source.     

Microbial transformation of quinoline by a Pseudomonas sp.

A Pseudomonas sp. isolated from sewage by enrichment culture on quinoline metabolized this substrate by a novel pathway involving 8-hydroxycoumarin. During early growth of the organism on quinoline, 2-hydroxyquinoline accumulated as the intermediate; 8-hydroxycoumarin accumulated as the major metabolite on further incubation. 2,8-Dihydroxyquinoline and 2,3-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid were identified as the other intermediates. Inhibition of quinoline metabolism by 1 mM sodium arsenite led to the accumulation of pyruvate, whereas inhibition by 5 mM arsenite resulted in the accumulation of 2-hydroxyquinoline as the major metabolite and 2,8-dihydroxyquinoline as the minor metabolite. Coumarin was not utilized as a growth substrate by this bacterium, but quinoline-grown cells converted it to 2-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid, which was not further metabolized. Quinoline, 2-hydroxyquinoline, 8-hydroxycoumarin, and 2,3-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid were rapidly oxidized by quinoline-adapted cells, whereas 2,8-dihydroxyquinoline was oxidized very slowly. Quinoline catabolism in this Pseudomonas sp. is therefore initiated by hydroxylation(s) of the molecule followed by cleavage of the pyridine ring to yield 8-hydroxycoumarin, which is further metabolized via 2,3-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid.     

Degradation of 1,4-dichlorobenzene by a Pseudomonas sp.

A Pseudomonas species able to degrade p-dichlorobenzene as the sole source of carbon and energy was isolated by selective enrichment from activated sludge. The organism also grew well on chlorobenzene and benzene. Washed cells released chloride in stoichiometric amounts from o-, m-, and p-dichlorobenzene, 2,5-dichlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol, 3-chlorocatechol, 4-chlorocatechol, and 3,6-dichlorocatechol. Initial steps in the pathway for p-dichlorobenzene degradation were determined by isolation of metabolites, simultaneous adaptation studies, and assay of enzymes in cell extracts. Results indicate that p-dichlorobenzene was initially converted by a dioxygenase to 3,6-dichloro-cis-1,2-dihydroxycyclohexa-3,5-diene, which was converted to 3,6-dichlorocatechol by an NAD+-dependent dehydrogenase. Ring cleavage of 3,6-dichlorocatechol was by a 1,2-oxygenase to form 2,5-dichloro-cis, cis-muconate. Enzymes for degradation of haloaromatic compounds were induced in cells grown on chlorobenzene or p-dichlorobenzene, but not in cells grown on benzene, succinate, or yeast extract. Enzymes of the ortho pathway induced in cells grown on benzene did not attack chlorobenzenes or chlorocatechols.     

Degradation of 1,2-dichlorobenzene by a Pseudomonas sp.

A Pseudomonas sp. that was capable of growth on 1,2-dichlorobenzene (o-DCB) or chlorobenzene as a sole source of carbon and energy was isolated by selective enrichment from activated sludge. The initial steps involved in the degradation of o-DCB were investigated by isolation of metabolites, respirometry, and assay of enzymes in cell extracts. Extracts of o-DCB-grown cells converted radiolabeled o-DCB to 3,4-dichloro-cis-1,2-dihydroxycyclohexa-3,5-diene (o-DCB dihydrodiol). 3,4-Dichlorocatechol and o-DCB dihydrodiol accumulated in culture fluids of cells exposed to o-DCB. The results suggest that o-DCB is initially converted by a dioxygenase to a dihydrodiol, which is converted to 3,4-dichlorocatechol by an NAD+-dependent dehydrogenase. Ring cleavage of 3,4-dichlorocatechol is by a catechol 1,2-oxygenase to form 2,3-dichloro-cis,cis-muconate. Preliminary results indicate that chloride is eliminated during subsequent lactonization of the 2,3-dichloro-cis,cis-muconate, followed by hydrolysis to form 5-chloromaleylacetic acid.     

Biodegradation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene by a Pseudomonas sp.

Previous studies of the biodegradation of nonpolar nitroaromatic compounds have suggested that microorganisms can reduce the nitro groups but cannot cleave the aromatic ring. We report here the initial steps in a pathway for complete biodegradation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) by a Pseudomonas sp. isolated from a four-member consortium enriched with DNT. The Pseudomonas sp. degraded DNT as the sole source of carbon and energy under aerobic conditions with stoichiometric release of nitrite. During induction of the enzymes required for growth on DNT, 4-methyl-5-nitrocatechol (MNC) accumulated transiently in the culture fluid when cells grown on acetate were transferred to medium containing DNT as the sole carbon and energy source. Conversion of DNT to MNC in the presence of 18O2 revealed the simultaneous incorporation of two atoms of molecular oxygen, which demonstrated that the reaction was catalyzed by a dioxygenase. Fully induced cells degraded MNC rapidly with stoichiometric release of nitrite. The results indicate an initial dioxygenase attack at the 4,5 position of DNT with the concomitant release of nitrite. Subsequent reactions lead to complete biodegradation and removal of the second nitro group as nitrite.