Biodegradation of carbaryl and phthalate isomers by soil microorganisms

Pseudomonas sp. strain PP4 and C5 utilize phthalate isomers (o-, m- and p-) and carbaryl as carbon source, respectively. Degradative pathways were elucidated by isolating and characterizing metabolites, whole-cell O-2 uptake and enzyme activity studies. Metabolic studies suggest that phthalate isomer degrading pathways converge at 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid. Phthalate dioxygenases responsible for the degradation of the respective phthalate isomers are induced specifically, suggesting that probably there are three different phthalate dioxygenases. This was supported by whole-cell O-2 uptake studies and cells grown on glucose failed to show the activity of phthalate pathway enzymes. Glucose-grown cells lost the phthalate degradation property indicating probable involvement of plasmid, which is expressed and maintained selectively in the presence of phthalate isomers. The metabolic studies with Pseudiomonas sp. strain C5 suggest that carbaryl is first hydrolyzed to 1-naphthol by carbaryl hydrolase. Generated 1-naphthol is metabolized via 1,2-dihydroxynaphahtlane, salicylate and gentisic acid to TCA cycle intermediates, thus serving as the sole source of carbon and energy. The ability to utilize phthalates (0.3%) and carbaryl (1%) at high concentrations make these strains suitable candidates for bioremediation. Detailed understanding of metabolic pathways and genetic make-up will enable one to modify these strains by genetic engineering tools for suitable application in bioremediation

Biodegradation of phenanthrene by Pseudomonas sp strain PPD: purification and characterization of 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid dioxygenase

Pseudomonas sp. strain PPID can metabolize phenanthrene as the sole source of carbon and energy via the 'phthalic acid' route. The key enzyme, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid dioxygenase (1-HNDO, EC 1.13.11.38), was purified to homogeneity using a 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (3-H2NA)-affinity matrix. The enzyme was a homotetramer with a native molecular mass of 160 kDa and subunit molecular mass of similar to 39 kDa. It required Fe(II) as the cofactor and was specific for 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (1-H2NA), with K(m) 13.5 mu M and V(max) 114 mu mol min(-1) mg(-1). 1-HNDO failed to show activity with gentisic acid, salicylic acid and other hydroxynaphthoic acids tested. Interestingly, the enzyme showed substrate inhibition with a K(i) of 116 mu M. 1-HNDO was found to be competitively inhibited by 3-H2NA with a K(i) of 24 mu M. Based on the pH-dependent spectral changes, the enzyme reaction product was identified as 2-carboxybenzalpyruvic acid. Under anaerobic conditions, the enzyme failed to convert 1-H2NA to 2-carboxybenzalpyruvic acid. Stoichiometric studies showed the incorporation of 1 mol 02 into the substrate to yield 1 mol product. These results suggest that 1-HNDO from Pseudomonas sp. strain PPD is an extradiol-type ring-cleaving dioxygenase

Biodegradation of phenanthrene by Psuedomonas sp strain PP2: novel metabolic pathway, role of biosurfactant and cell surface hydrophobicity in hydrocarbon assimilation

Pseudomonas sp. strain PP2 isolated in our laboratory efficiently metabolizes phenanthrene at 0.3% concentration as the sole source of carbon and energy. The metabolic pathways for the degradation of phenanthrene, benzoate and p-hydroxybenzoate were elucidated by identifying metabolites, biotransformation studies, oxygen uptake by whole cells on probable metabolic intermediates, and monitoring enzyme activities in cell-free extracts. The results obtained suggest that phenanthrene degradation is initiated by double hydroxylation resulting in the formation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenanthrene. The diol was finally oxidized to 2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde. Detection of 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, a-naphthol, 1,2-dihydroxy naphthalene, and salicylate in the spent medium by thin layer chromatography; the presence of 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene dioxygenase, salicylaldehyde dehydrogenase and catechol-2,3-dioxygenase activity in the extract; 02 uptake by cells on alpha-naphthol, 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene, salicylaldehyde, salicylate and catechol; and no 02 uptake on o-phthalate and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate supports the novel route of metabolism of phenanthrene via 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid --> [alpha-naphthol] --> 1,2-dihydroxy naphthalene --> salicylate --> catechol. The strain degrades benzoate via catechol and cis,cis-muconic acid, and p-hydroxybenzoate via 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate and 3-carboxy-cis,cis-muconic acid. Interestingly, the culture failed to grow on naphthalene. When grown on either hydrocarbon or dextrose, the culture showed good extracellular biosurfactant production. Growth-dependent changes in the cell surface hydrophobicity, and emulsification activity experiments suggest that: (1) production of biosurfactant was constitutive and growth-associated, (2) production was higher when cells were grown on phenanthrene as compared to dextrose and benzoate, (3) hydrocarbon-grown cells were more hydrophobic and showed higher affinity towards both aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons compared to dextrose-grown cells, and (4) mid-log-phase cells were significantly (2-fold) more hydrophobic than stationary phase cells. Based on these results, we hypothesize that growth-associated extracellular biosurfactant production and modulation of cell surface hydrophobicity plays an important role in hydrocarbon assimilation/uptake in Pseudomonas sp. strain PP2

Inducible uptake and metabolism of glucose by the phosphorylative pathway in Pseudomonas putida CSV86

Pseudomonas putida CSV86 utilizes glucose, naphthalene, methylnaphthalene, benzyl alcohol and benzoate as the sole source of carbon and energy. Compared with glucose, cells grew faster on aromatic compounds as well as on organic acids. The organism failed to grow on gluconate, 2-ketogluconate, fructose and mannitol. Whole-cell oxygen uptake, enzyme activity and metabolic studies suggest that in strain CSV86 glucose utilization is exclusively by the intracellular phosphorylative pathway, while in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia CSV89 and P. putida KT2442 glucose is metabolized by both direct oxidative and indirect phosphorylative pathways. Cells grown on glucose showed five- to sixfold higher activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase compared with cells grown on aromatic compounds or organic acids as the carbon source. Study of [C-14]glucose uptake by whole cells indicates that the glucose is taken up by active transport. Metabolic and transport studies clearly demonstrate that glucose metabolism is suppressed when strain CSV86 is grown on aromatic compounds or organic acids

1-Naphthol 2-hydroxylase from Pseudomonas sp. strain C6: purification, characterization and chemical modification studies

1-Naphthol 2-hydroxylase (1-NH) which catalyzes the conversion of 1-naphthol to 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene was purified to homogeneity from carbaryl-degrading Pseudomonas sp. strain C6. The enzyme was found to be a homodimer with subunit molecular weight of 66 kDa. UV, visible and fluorescence spectral properties, identification of flavin moiety by HPLC as FAD, and reconstitution of apoenzyme by FAD suggest that enzyme is FAD-dependent. 1-NH accepts electron from NADH as well as NADPH. Besides 1-naphthol (K (m), 9.1 mu M), the enzyme also accepts 5-amino 1-naphthol (K (m), 6.4 mu M) and 4-chloro 1-naphthol (K (m), 2.3 mu M) as substrates. Enzyme showed substrate inhibition phenomenon at high concentration of 1-naphthol (K (i), 283 mu M). Stoichiometric consumption of oxygen and NADH, and biochemical properties suggest that 1-NH belongs to FAD containing external flavomonooxygenase group of oxido-reductase class of enzymes. Based on biochemical and kinetic properties, 1-NH from Pseudomonas sp. strain C6 appears to be different than that reported earlier from Pseudomonas sp. strain C4. Chemical modification and protection by 1-naphthol and NADH suggest that His, Arg, Cys, Tyr and Trp are at or near the active site of 1-NH

Conjugative transfer of preferential utilization of aromatic compounds from Pseudomonas putida CSV86

Pseudomonas putida CSV86 utilizes naphthalene (Nap), salicylate (Sal), benzyl alcohol (Balc), and methylnaphthalene (MN) preferentially over glucose. Methylnaphthalene is metabolized by ring-hydroxylation as well as side-chain hydroxylation pathway. Although the degradation property was found to be stable, the frequency of obtaining Nap(-)Sal(-)MN(-)Balc(-) phenotype increased to 11% in the presence of curing agents. This property was transferred by conjugation to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia CSV89 with a frequency of 7 x 10(-8) per donor cells. Transconjugants were Nap(+)Sal(+)MN(+)Balc(+) and metabolized MN by ring- as well as side-chain hydroxylation pathway. Transconjugants also showed the preferential utilization of aromatic compounds over glucose indicating transfer of the preferential degradation property. The transferred properties were lost completely when transconjugants were grown on glucose or 2YT. Attempts to detect and isolate plasmid DNA from CSV86 and transconjugants were unsuccessful. Transfer of degradation genes and its subsequent loss from the transconjugants was confirmed by PCR using primers specific for 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene dioxygenase and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase (C23O) as well as by DNA-DNA hybridizations using total DNA as template and C23O PCR fragment as a probe. These results indicate the involvement of a probable conjugative element in the: (i) metabolism of aromatic compounds, (ii) ring- and side-chain hydroxylation pathways for MN, and (iii) preferential utilization of aromatics over glucose

Carbon Source-Dependent Inducible Metabolism of Veratryl Alcohol and Ferulic Acid in Pseudomonas putida CSV86

Pseudomonas putida CSV86 degrades lignin-derived metabolic intermediates, viz., veratryl alcohol, ferulic acid, vanillin, and vanillic acid, as the sole sources of carbon and energy. Strain CSV86 also degraded lignin sulfonate. Cell respiration, enzyme activity, biotransformation, and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses suggest that veratryl alcohol and ferulic acid are metabolized to vanillic acid by two distinct carbon source-dependent inducible pathways. Vanillic acid was further metabolized to protocatechuic acid and entered the central carbon pathway via the beta-ketoadipate route after ortho ring cleavage. Genes encoding putative enzymes involved in the degradation were found to be present at fer, ver, and van loci. The transcriptional analysis suggests a carbon source-dependent cotranscription of these loci, substantiating the metabolic studies. Biochemical and quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR studies revealed the presence of two distinct O-demethylases, viz., VerAB and VanAB, involved in the oxidative demethylation of veratric acid and vanillic acid, respectively. This report describes the various steps involved in metabolizing lignin-derived aromatic compounds at the biochemical level and identifies the genes involved in degrading veratric acid and the arrangement of phenylpropanoid metabolic genes as three distinct inducible transcription units/operons. This study provides insight into the bacterial degradation of lignin-derived aromatics and the potential of P. putida CSV86 as a suitable candidate for producing valuable products. IMPORTANCE Pseudomonas putida CSV86 metabolizes lignin and its metabolic intermediates as a carbon source. Strain CSV86 displays a unique property of preferential utilization of aromatics, including for phenylpropanoids over glucose. This report unravels veratryl alcohol metabolism and genes encoding veratric acid O-demethylase, hitherto unknown in pseudomonads, thereby providing new insight into the metabolic pathway and gene pool for lignin degradation in bacteria. The biochemical and genetic characterization of phenylpropanoid metabolism makes it a prospective system for its application in producing valuable products, such as vanillin and vanillic acid, from lignocellulose. This study supports the immense potential of P. putida CSV86 as a suitable candidate for bioremediation and biorefinery

Carbon source-dependent modulation of NADP-glutamate dehydrogenases in isophthalate-degrading Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PP4, Pseudomonas strain PPD and Acinetobacter lwoffii strain ISP4

Acinetobacter lwoffii strain ISP4 metabolizes isophthalate rapidly compared with Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PP4 and Pseudomonas strain PPD. Isophthalate has been reported to be a potent competitive inhibitor of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). Exogenous supplementation of isophthalate with glutamate or alpha-ketoglutarate at 1 mM concentration caused strains PP4 and PPID to grow faster than in the presence of isophthalate alone; however, no such effect was observed in strain ISP4. When grown on isophthalate, all strains showed activity of NADP-dependent GDH (NADP-GDH), while cells grown on glucose, 2x yeast extract-tryptone broth (2YT) or glutamate showed activities of both NAD-dependent GDH (NAD-GDH) and NADP-GDH. Activity staining, inhibition and thermal stability studies indicated the carbon source-dependent presence of two (GDH(I) and GDH(II)), three (GDH(A), GDH(B) and GDH(C)) and one (GDH(P)) forms of NADP-GDH in strains PP4, PPD and ISP4, respectively. The results demonstrate the carbon source-dependent modulation of different forms of NADP-GDH in these bacterial strains. This modulation may help the efficient utilization of isophthalate as a carbon source by overcoming the inhibitory effect on GDH

Bacterial degradation of phthalate isomers and their esters

Phthalate isomers and their esters are used heavily in various industries. Excess use and leaching from the product pose them as major pollutants. These chemicals are toxic, teratogenic, mutagenic and carcinogenic in nature. Various aspects like toxicity, diversity in the aerobic bacterial degradation, enzymes and genetic organization of the metabolic pathways from various bacterial strains are reviewed here. Degradation of these esters proceeds by the action of esterases to form phthalate isomers, which are converted to dihydroxylated intermediates by specific and inducible phthalate isomer dioxygenases. Metabolic pathways of phthalate isomers converge at 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, which undergoes either ortho-or meta-ring cleavage and subsequently metabolized to the central carbon pathway intermediates. The genes involved in the degradation are arranged in operons present either on plasmid or chromosome or both, and induced by specific phthalate isomer. Understanding metabolic pathways, diversity and their genetic regulation may help in constructing bacterial strains through genetic engineering approach for effective bioremediation and environmental clean up

Biochemical Characterization of Inducible 'Reductase' Component of Benzoate Dioxygenase and Phthalate Isomer Dioxygenases from Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PP4

The first step involved in the degradation of phthalate isomers (phthalate, isophthalate and terephthalate) is the double hydroxylation by respective aromatic-ring hydroxylating dioxygenases. These are two component enzymes consisting of 'oxygenase' and 'reductase' components. Soil isolate Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PP4 degrades phthalate isomers via protocatechuate and benzoate via catechol 'ortho' ring cleavage pathway. Metabolic studies suggest that strain PP4 has carbon source-specific inducible phthalate isomer dioxygenase and benzoate dioxygenase. Thus, it was of interest to study the properties of reductase components of these enzymes. Reductase activity from phthalate isomer-grown cells was 3-5-folds higher than benzoate grown cells. In-gel activity staining profile showed a reductase activity band of R (f) 0.56 for phthalate isomer-grown cells as compared to R (f) 0.73 from benzoate-grown cells. Partially purified reductase components from phthalate isomer grown cells showed K (m) in the range of 30-40 mu M and V (max) = 34-48 mu mol min(-1) mg(-1). However, reductase from benzoate grown cells showed K (m) = 49 mu M and V (max) = 10 mu mol min(-1) mg(-1). Strikingly similar molecular and kinetic properties of reductase component from phthalate isomer-grown cells suggest that probably the same reductase component is employed in three phthalate isomer dioxygenases. However, reductase component is different, with respect to kinetic properties and zymogram analysis, from benzoate-grown cells when compared to that from phthalate isomer grown cells of PP4