Degradation of 2-nitrobenzoate by Burkholderia terrae strain KU-15

Bacterial strain KU-15, identified as a Burkholderia terrae by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, was one of 11 new isolates that grew on 2-nitrobenzoate as sole source of carbon and nitrogen. Strain KU-15 was also found to grow on anthranilate, 4-nitrobenzoate, and 4-aminobenzoate. Whole cells of strain KU-15 were found to accumulate ammonia in the medium, indicating that the degradation of 2-nitrobenzoate proceeds through a reductive route. Metabolite analyses by high-performance liquid chromatography indicated that 3-hydroxyanthranilate, anthranilate, and catechol are intermediates of 2-nitrobenzoate metabolism in strain KU-15. Enzyme studies suggested that 2-nitrobenzoate degradation occurs via the formation of 2-hydroxylaminobenzoate and that the pathway branches at this point to form two different aromatic intermediates: anthranilate and 3-hydroxyanthranilate. PCR amplifications and DNA sequencing revealed DNA fragments encoding a polypeptide homologous to 2-amino-3-carboxymuconate 6-semialdehyde decarboxylase and anthranilate 1,2-dioxygenase.