ABSTRACT
AIMS: A possibility for the complementation of both ortho- and meta-cleavage pathway for chlorocatechols in one strain and its impact on degradation of chlorobenzoates accumulated during degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls was investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Genes responsible for ortho-cleavage of chlorocatechols were subcloned into two biphenyl degraders and the activities of chlorocatechol dioxygenases responsible for ortho- and meta-cleavage in these hybrid strains were monitored spectrophotometrically and also electrochemically by ion-selective electrode. CONCLUSIONS: While strain Pseudomonas fluorescens S12/C apparently gained metabolic advantage from this gene manipulation, strain Burkholderia cepacia P166/C did not express better degradation features in comparison with the parental strain. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This approach has the potential to enhance chlorocatechol metabolism in selected biphenyl degraders.
