Detoxification mechanisms for 1,2,4-benzenetriol employed by a Rhodococcus sp. BPG-8

A Rhodococcus sp. BPG-8 produces 1,2,4-benzenetriol during the transformation of resorcinol by phloroglucinol induced cell-free extract. The oxidation of 1,2,4-benzenetriol to 2-hydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone produces superoxide radicals that may have potential deleterious effects on cellular integrity. It has been shown that both superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase retard the autoxidation of 1,2,4-benzenetriol to 2-hydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone. Termination of the free radical chain reaction between superoxide radical and 1,2,4-benzenetriol seems to prevent this autoxidation. A NAD(P)H-dependent reductase appears to convert the 2-hydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone back to 1,2,4-benzenetriol. Both of these mechanisms appear to stabilize 1,2,4-benzenetriol so that it may be cleaved by meta cleavage enzymes. The enzymes responsible for the stabilization of 1,2,4-benzenetriol appear not to be inducible.