Oxygen Activation in Aromatic Ring Cleaving Salicylate Dioxygenase: Detection of Reaction Intermediates with a Nitro-substituted Substrate Analog.

Cupin dioxygenases such as salicylate 1,2-dioxygense (SDO) perform aromatic C-C bond scission via a 3-His motif tethered iron cofactor. Here, transient kinetics measurements are used to monitor the catalytic cycle of SDO by using a nitro-substituted substrate analog, 3-nitrogentisate. Compared to the natural substrate, the nitro group reduces the enzymatic kcat by 500-fold, thereby facilitating the detection and kinetic characterization of reaction intermediates. Sums and products of reciprocal relaxation times derived from kinetic measurements were found to be linearly dependent on O2 concentration, suggesting reversible formation of two distinct intermediates. Dioxygen binding to the metal cofactor takes place with a forward rate of 5.9×103 M-1 s-1: two orders of magnitude slower than other comparable ring-cleaving dioxygenses. Optical chromophore of the first intermediate is distinct from the in situ generated SDO Fe(III)-O2⋅- complex but closer to the enzyme-substrate precursor.

Synthesis of (R)-mandelic acid and (R)-mandelic acid amide by recombinant E. coli strains expressing a (R)-specific oxynitrilase and an arylacetonitrilase.

OBJECTIVES: Chiral 2-hydroxycarboxylic acids and 2-hydroxycarboxamides are valuable synthons for the chemical industry. RESULTS: The biocatalytic syntheses of (R)-mandelic acid and (R)-mandelic acid amide by recombinant Escherichia coli clones were studied. Strains were constructed which simultaneously expressed a (R)-specific oxynitrilase (hydroxynitrile lyase) from the plant Arabidopsis thaliana together with the arylacetonitrilase from the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens EBC191. In addition, recombinant strains were constructed which expressed a previously described acid tolerant variant of the oxynitrilase and an amide forming variant of the nitrilase. The whole cell catalysts which simultaneously expressed the (R)-specific oxynitrilase and the wild-type nitrilase transformed in slightly acidic buffer systems benzaldehyde plus cyanide preferentially to (R)-mandelic acid with ee-values > 95%. The combination of the (R)-specific oxynitrilase with the amide forming nitrilase variant gave whole cell catalysts which converted at pH-values ≤ pH 5 benzaldehyde plus cyanide with a high degree of enantioselectivity (ee > 90%) to (R)-mandelic acid amide. The acid and the amide forming catalysts also converted chlorinated benzaldehydes with cyanide to chlorinated mandelic acid or chlorinated mandelic acid amides. CONCLUSIONS: Efficient systems for the biocatalytic production of (R)-2-hydroxycarboxylic acids and (R)-2-hydroxycarboxamides were generated.

Substrate promiscuity and active site differences in gentisate 1,2-dioxygenases: electron paramagnetic resonance study.

Gentisate 1,2-dioxygenases (GDOs) are non-heme iron enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of dihydroxylated aromatic substrate, gentisate (2,5-dihydroxybenzoate). Salicylate 1,2-dioxygenase (SDO), a member of the GDO family, performs the ring scission of monohydroxylated substrates such as salicylate, thereby oxidizing a broader range of substrates compared to GDOs. Although the two types of enzymes share a high degree of sequence similarity, the origin of substrate specificity between SDO and GDOs is not understood. We present electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) investigation of ferrous-nitrosyl complexes of SDO and a GDO from the bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum (GDOCg). The EPR spectra of these complexes, which mimic the Fe-substrate-O2 intermediates in the catalytic cycle, show unexpected differences in the substrate binding mode and the coordination geometry of the metal cofactor in the two enzymes. Binding of substrate to the ferrous center increases the symmetry of the Fe(II)-NO complex in SDO, while a reverse trend is observed in GDOCg where substrate ligation reduces the symmetry of the nitrosyl complex. Identical EPR spectra were obtained for the NO derivatives of a variant of GDOCg(A112G), which can oxidize salicylate, and wild-type GDOCg revealing that the A112G mutation does not alter the nature of the Fe-substrate-O2 ternary complex.

Conversion of aliphatic nitriles by the arylacetonitrilase from Pseudomonas fluorescens EBC191.

The conversion of aliphatic nitriles by the arylacetonitrilase from Pseudomonas fluorescens EBC191 (NitA) was analyzed. The nitrilase hydrolysed a wide range of aliphatic mono- and dinitriles and showed a preference for unsaturated aliphatic substrates containing 5-6 carbon atoms. In addition, increased reaction rates were also found for aliphatic nitriles carrying electron withdrawing substituents (e.g. chloro- or hydroxy-groups) close to the nitrile group. Aliphatic dinitriles were attacked only at one of the nitrile groups and with most of the tested dinitriles the monocarboxylates were detected as major products. In contrast, fumarodinitrile was converted to the monocarboxylate and the monocarboxamide in a ratio of about 65:35. Significantly different relative amounts of the two products were observed with two nitrilase variants with altered reaction specifities. NitA converted some aliphatic substrates with higher rates than 2-phenylpropionitrile, which is one of the standard substrates for arylacetonitrilases. This indicated that the traditional classification of nitrilases as "arylacetonitrilases", "aromatic" or "aliphatic" nitrilases might require some corrections. This was also suggested by the construction of some variants of NitA which were modified in an amino acid residue which was previously suggested to be essential for the conversion of aliphatic substrates by a homologous nitrilase.

Draft genome sequence of Rhodococcus erythropolis B7g, a biosurfactant producing actinobacterium.

Biosurfactants are amphipathic molecules with relevance in biotechnology due to their structural diversity, low toxicity and biodegradability. The genus Rhodococcus has extensively been studied because of its capacity to produce trehalose-containing surfactants as well as trehalose lipids as potential pathogenic factor. Here we present the draft genome sequence of Rhodococcus erythropolis B7g isolated with toluene from fuel-contaminated soil. The genome comprises 7,175,690 bp in 121 contigs, a G + C content of 62,4% and 7,153 coding DNA sequences (CDSs), and it contains genes for trehalose biosynthesis and surfactant production. Additionally, genes for the production of trehalose-tetraester biosurfactant were identified, whose function was experimentally verified making the strain B7g a potential candidate for use in bioremediation applications or in biosurfactant exploration.

Pyridine Nucleotide Coenzyme Specificity of p-Hydroxybenzoate Hydroxylase and Related Flavoprotein Monooxygenases.

p-Hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase (PHBH; EC 1.14.13.2) is a microbial group A flavoprotein monooxygenase that catalyzes the ortho-hydroxylation of 4-hydroxybenzoate to 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate with the stoichiometric consumption of NAD(P)H and oxygen. PHBH and related enzymes lack a canonical NAD(P)H-binding domain and the way they interact with the pyridine nucleotide coenzyme has remained a conundrum. Previously, we identified a surface exposed protein segment of PHBH from Pseudomonas fluorescens involved in NADPH binding. Here, we report the first amino acid sequences of NADH-preferring PHBHs and a phylogenetic analysis of putative PHBHs identified in currently available bacterial genomes. It was found that PHBHs group into three clades consisting of NADPH-specific, NAD(P)H-dependent and NADH-preferring enzymes. The latter proteins frequently occur in Actinobacteria. To validate the results, we produced several putative PHBHs in Escherichia coli and confirmed their predicted coenzyme preferences. Based on phylogeny, protein energy profiling and lifestyle of PHBH harboring bacteria we propose that the pyridine nucleotide coenzyme specificity of PHBH emerged through adaptive evolution and that the NADH-preferring enzymes are the older versions of PHBH. Structural comparison and distance tree analysis of group A flavoprotein monooxygenases indicated that a similar protein segment as being responsible for the pyridine nucleotide coenzyme specificity of PHBH is involved in determining the pyridine nucleotide coenzyme specificity of the other group A members.

Microbial diversity of the hypersaline and lithium-rich Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia.

Salar de Uyuni, situated in the Southwest of the Bolivian Altiplano, is the largest salt flat on Earth. Brines of this athalassohaline hypersaline environment are rich in lithium and boron. Due to the ever- increasing commodity demand, the industrial exploitation of brines for metal recovery from the world's biggest lithium reservoir is likely to increase substantially in the near future. Studies on the composition of halophilic microbial communities in brines of the salar have not been published yet. Here we report for the first time on the prokaryotic diversity of four brine habitats across the salar. The brine is characterized by salinity values between 132 and 177 PSU, slightly acidic to near-neutral pH and lithium and boron concentrations of up to 2.0 and 1.4g/L, respectively. Community analysis was performed after sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA genes employing the Illumina MiSeq technology. The mothur software package was used for sequence processing and data analysis. Metagenomic analysis revealed the occurrence of an exclusively archaeal community comprising 26 halobacterial genera including only recently identified genera like Halapricum, Halorubellus and Salinarchaeum. Despite the high diversity of the halobacteria-dominated community in sample P3 (Shannon-Weaver index H'=3.12 at 3% OTU cutoff) almost 40% of the Halobacteriaceae-assigned sequences could not be classified on the genus level under stringent filtering conditions. Even if the limited taxonomic resolution of the V3-V4 region for halobacteria is considered, it seems likely to discover new, hitherto undescribed genera of the family halobacteriaceae in this particular habitat of Salar de Uyuni in future.

Gene redundancy of two-component (chloro)phenol hydroxylases in Rhodococcus opacus 1CP.

Among other factors, a distinct gene redundancy is discussed to facilitate high metabolic versatility of rhodococci. Rhodococcus opacus 1CP is a typical member in that respect and degrades a multitude of (chlorinated) aromatic compounds. In contrast to the central pathways of aromatic degradation in strain 1CP, little is known about the degree of gene redundancy and to what extent this is reflected on protein level within the steps of peripheral degradation. By means of degenerated primers deduced from tryptic peptides of a purified phenol hydroxylase component and using the amplified fragment as a labelled probe against genomic 1CP-DNA, three gene sets encoding three different two-component phenol hydroxylases pheA1/pheA2(1-3) could be identified. One of them was found to be located on the megaplasmid p1CP, which confirms the role of these elements for metabolic versatility. Protein chromatography of phenol- and 4-chlorophenol-grown 1CP-biomass gave first evidences on a functional expression of these oxygenases, which could be initially characterised in respect of their substrate specificity.

A mechanistic study on SMOB-ADP1: an NADH:flavin oxidoreductase of the two-component styrene monooxygenase of Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1.

Two styrene monooxygenase types, StyA/StyB and StyA1/StyA2B, have been described each consisting of an epoxidase and a reductase. A gene fusion which led to the chimeric reductase StyA2B and the occurrence in different phyla are major differences. Identification of SMOA/SMOB-ADP1 of Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 may enlighten the gene fusion event since phylogenetic analysis indicated both proteins to be more related to StyA2B than to StyA/StyB. SMOB-ADP1 is classified like StyB and StyA2B as HpaC-like reductase. Substrate affinity and turnover number of the homo-dimer SMOB-ADP1 were determined for NADH (24 µM, 64 s(-1)) and FAD (4.4 µM, 56 s(-1)). SMOB-ADP1 catalysis follows a random sequential mechanism, and FAD fluorescence is quenched upon binding to SMOB-ADP1 (K d = 1.8 µM), which clearly distinguishes that reductase from StyB of Pseudomonas. In summary, this study confirmes made assumptions and provides phylogenetic and biochemical data for the differentiation of styrene monooxygenase-related flavin reductases.

Crystal structure and catalytic mechanism of chloromuconolactone dehalogenase ClcF from Rhodococcus opacus 1CP.

The actinobacterium Rhodococcus opacus 1CP possesses a so far unique variant of the modified 3-oxoadipate pathway for 3-chlorocatechol degradation. One important feature is the novel dehalogenase ClcF, which converts (4R,5S)-5-chloromuconolactone to E-dienelactone. ClcF is related to muconolactone isomerase (MLI, EC 5.3.3.4). The enzyme has a ferredoxin-type fold and forms a homodecamer of 52-symmetry, typical for the MLI family. The active site is formed by residues from two monomers. The complex structure of an E27A variant with bound substrate in conjunction with mutational studies indicate that E27 acts as the proton acceptor in a univalent single-base syn-dehydrohalogenation mechanism. Despite the evolutionary specialization of ClcF, the conserved active-site structures suggest that the proposed mechanism is representative for the MLI family. Furthermore, ClcF represents a novel type of dehalogenase based on an isomerase scaffold.

Recombinant expression of a unique chloromuconolactone dehalogenase ClcF from Rhodococcus opacus 1CP and identification of catalytically relevant residues by mutational analysis.

Chloromuconolactone dehalogenase ClcF plays a unique role in 3-chlorocatechol degradation by Rhodococcus opacus 1CP by compensating the inability of its chloromuconate cycloisomerase ClcB2 to dechlorinate the chemically stable cycloisomerization product (4R,5S)-5-chloromuconolactone (5CML). High sequence similarities showed relatedness of ClcF to muconolactone isomerases (MLIs, EC 5.3.3.4) of the 3-oxoadipate pathway. Although both enzyme types share the ability to dechlorinate 5CML, comparison of kcat/Km indicated a significant extent of specialization of ClcF for dechlorination. This assumption was substantiated by an almost complete inability of ClcF to convert (4S)-muconolactone and the exclusive formation of cis-dienelactone from 5CML. Mutational analysis of ClcF by means of variants E27D, E27Q, Y50A, N52A, and A89S indicated relevance of some highly conserved residues for substrate binding and catalysis. Based on the putative isomerization mechanism of MLI, evidence was provided for a role of E27 in initial proton abstraction as well as of Y50 and N52 in substrate binding. In case of N52 substrate binding is likely to occur to the carboxylic group of 5CML as indicated by a significant change of product specificity. Expression in Escherichia coli BL21-CP(DE)-RIL followed by a three-step purification procedure with heat treatment is a convenient strategy to obtain recombinant ClcF and variants thereof.

Crystallization and preliminary characterization of chloromuconolactone dehalogenase from Rhodococcus opacus 1CP.

Chloroaromatic compounds are often very persistent environmental pollutants. Nevertheless, numerous bacteria are able to metabolize these compounds and to utilize them as sole energy and carbon sources. Rhodococcus opacus 1CP is able to degrade several chloroaromatic compounds, some of them via a variation of the 3-chlorocatechol branch of the modified ortho-cleavage pathway. This branch in R. opacus differs from that in Proteobacteria in the inability of the chloromuconate cycloisomerase to dehalogenate. Instead, a unique enzyme designated as chloromuconolactone dehalogenase (ClcF) is recruited. ClcF dehalogenates 5-chloromuconolactone to cis-dienelactone and shows a high similarity to muconolactone isomerases (EC 5.3.3.4). However, unlike the latter enzymes, it is unable to catalyse the isomerization of muconolactone to 3-oxoadipate enollactone. In order to characterize the catalytic mechanism of this unusual dehalogenase, the enzyme was crystallized and subjected to X-ray structural analysis. Data sets to up to 1.65 Šresolution were collected from two different crystal forms using synchrotron radiation. Crystal form I (space group P2(1)) contained 40 subunits in the asymmetric unit, whereas ten subunits were present in crystal form II (space group P2(1)2(1)2(1)). The self-rotation function revealed the orientations of the molecular symmetry axes of the homodecamer of 52 symmetry.

One-component styrene monooxygenases: an evolutionary view on a rare class of flavoproteins.

Styrene monooxygenases (SMOs) are catalysts for the enantioselective epoxidation of terminal alkenes. Most representatives comprise a reductase and a monooxygenase which are encoded by separate genes (styA, styB). Only six presumed self-sufficient one-component SMOs (styA2B) have previously been submitted to databases, and one has so far been characterized. StyA2B can be supported by another epoxidase (StyA1) encoded by styA1, a gene in direct neighborhood of styA2B. The present report describes the identification of a further styA1/styA2B-like SMO, which was detected in Rhodococcus opacus MR11. Based on the initially available sequences of styA2B-type SMOs, primers directed at conserved sequences were designed and a 7,012-bp genomic fragment from strain MR11 was obtained after PCRs and subsequent genome walking. Six open reading frames (ORFs) were detected and compared to genomic fragments of strains comprising either two- or one-component SMOs. Among the proteins encoded by the ORFs, the monooxygenase StyA1/StyA2B showed the highest divergence on amino acid level when comparing proteins from different sources. That finding, a rare distribution of styA2B genes among bacteria, and the general observation of evolution from simple to complex systems indicate that one-component SMOs evolved from two-component ancestors. Analysis of gene products from styA/styB- and styA1/styA2B-like SMOs revealed that a fusion of styA/styB to styA2B might have happened at least twice among microorganisms. This points to a convergent evolution of one-component SMOs.

Styrene oxide isomerase of Rhodococcus opacus 1CP, a highly stable and considerably active enzyme.

Styrene oxide isomerase (SOI) is involved in peripheral styrene catabolism of bacteria and converts styrene oxide to phenylacetaldehyde. Here, we report on the identification, enrichment, and biochemical characterization of a novel representative from the actinobacterium Rhodococcus opacus 1CP. The enzyme, which is strongly induced during growth on styrene, was shown to be membrane integrated, and a convenient procedure was developed to highly enrich the protein in active form from the wild-type host. A specific activity of about 370 U mg(-1) represents the highest activity reported for this enzyme class so far. This, in combination with a wide pH and temperature tolerance, the independence from cofactors, and the ability to convert a spectrum of substituted styrene oxides, makes a biocatalytic application imaginable. First, semipreparative conversions were performed from which up to 760 µmol of the pure phenylacetaldehyde could be obtained from 130 U of enriched SOI. Product concentrations of up to 76 mM were achieved. However, due to the high chemical reactivity of the aldehyde function, SOI was shown to be the subject of an irreversible product inhibition. A half-life of 15 min was determined at a phenylacetaldehyde concentration of about 55 mM, indicating substantial limitations of applicability and the need to modify the process.

Optimization of a genome-walking method to suit GC-rich template DNA from biotechnological relevant Actinobacteria.

SiteFinding-PCR has been recently reported to be a useful technique in order to identify unknown DNA fragments located adjacent to available sequences. However, this method has so far only been applied to few DNA sources including plants, samples from bioleaching communities, and a Pseudomonas strain. In order to complete the sequence information of two gene clusters in Gram-positive rhodococci the original protocol was applied yielding amplicons of insufficient size. The binding site of the previously published SiteFinder-2 oligo proved to be unsuitable for Rhodococcus and other members of the Actinobacteria since the binding motif occurred too frequently. Available genome sequences of different Actinobacteria were analysed and the binding site of the SiteFinder oligo modified. Moreover, PCR conditions were adapted to the high GC content of the template DNA allowing the successful adaptation of this method to two members of the Actinobacteria.

StyA1 and StyA2B from Rhodococcus opacus 1CP: a multifunctional styrene monooxygenase system.

Two-component flavoprotein monooxygenases are emerging biocatalysts that generally consist of a monooxygenase and a reductase component. Here we show that Rhodococcus opacus 1CP encodes a multifunctional enantioselective flavoprotein monooxygenase system composed of a single styrene monooxygenase (SMO) (StyA1) and another styrene monooxygenase fused to an NADH-flavin oxidoreductase (StyA2B). StyA1 and StyA2B convert styrene and chemical analogues to the corresponding epoxides at the expense of FADH2 provided from StyA2B. The StyA1/StyA2B system presents the highest monooxygenase activity in an equimolar ratio of StyA1 and StyA2B, indicating (transient) protein complex formation. StyA1 is also active when FADH2 is supplied by StyB from Pseudomonas sp. VLB120 or PheA2 from Rhodococcus opacus 1CP. However, in both cases the reductase produces an excess of FADH2, resulting in a high waste of NADH. The epoxidation rate of StyA1 heavily depends on the type of reductase. This supports that the FADH2-induced activation of StyA1 requires interprotein communication. We conclude that the StyA1/StyA2B system represents a novel type of multifunctional flavoprotein monooxygenase. Its unique mechanism of cofactor utilization provides new opportunities for biotechnological applications and is highly relevant from a structural and evolutionary point of view.

Transformation of diclofenac by the indigenous microflora of river sediments and identification of a major intermediate.

Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, which tends to be relatively persistent in the environment. Now, a fixed-bed column bioreactor filled with sediment from the creek Münzbach (Freiberg/Saxony) under aerobic conditions showed rapid removal of diclofenac in a concentration range of 3-35 microM without previous adaptation. The conversion of higher concentrations up to 260 microM was accompanied by conspicuously decreased turnover rates indicating a toxic effect of this drug or its resulting metabolic burden on the indigenous microflora. A major metabolite occurred transiently and was identified by NMR and MS to be the p-benzoquinone imine of 5-hydroxydiclofenac. Abiotic adsorption to the biofilm was shown to determine the further fate of this reactive product of 5-hydroxydiclofenac (aut-)oxidation. The apparent lack of a degradative potential for this compound as well as the failure to detect an enrichment of diclofenac-depleting microbial activity both indicate a cometabolic nature of diclofenac transformation. 4'-Hydroxy-diclofenac, the favoured transformation product of eucaryotic diclofenac metabolism, could not be identified. The ability to convert diclofenac was shown to be widespread among biofilms from different river sediments, but measured rates obviously do not correlate with the total microbial activity. In addition, application of sediments from locations exposed to communal waste water effluents did not indicate any form of adaptation measured as an increased specific diclofenac depletion rate.

Two unusual chlorocatechol catabolic gene clusters in Sphingomonas sp. TFD44.

The genes responsible for the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate (2,4-D) by alpha-Proteobacteria have previously been difficult to detect by using gene probes or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers. PCR products of the chlorocatechol 1,2-dioxygenase gene, tfdC, now allowed cloning of two chlorocatechol gene clusters from the Sphingomonas sp. strain TFD44. Sequence characterization showed that the first cluster, tfdD,RFCE, comprises all the genes necessary for the conversion of 3,5-dichlorocatechol to 3-oxoadipate, including a presumed regulatory gene, tfdR, of the LysR-type family. The second gene cluster, tfdC2E2F2, is incomplete and appears to lack a chloromuconate cycloisomerase gene and a regulatory gene. Purification and N-terminal sequencing of selected enzymes suggests that at least representatives of both gene clusters (TfdD of cluster 1 and TfdC2 of cluster 2) are induced during the growth of strain TFD44 with 2,4-D. A mutant constructed to contain an insertion in the chloromuconate cycloisomerase gene tfdD still was able to grow with 2,4-D, but more slowly and with a longer lag phase. This, and the detection of additional activity peaks during protein purification suggest that strain TFD44 harbors at least another chloromuconate cycloisomerase gene. The sequence of the tfdCE region was almost identical to that of a partially characterized chlorocatechol catabolic gene cluster of Sphingomonas herbicidovorans MH, whereas the sequence of the tfdC2E2F2 cluster was different. The similarity of the predicted proteins of the tfdD,RFCE and tfdC2E2F2 clusters to known sequences of other Proteobacteria in the database ranged from 42 to 61% identical positions for the first cluster and from 45.5 to 58% identical positions for the second cluster. Between both clusters, the similarities of their predicted proteins ranged from 44.5 to 64% identical positions. Thus, both clusters (together with those of S. herbicidovorans MH) represent deep-branching lines in the respective dendrograms, and the sequence information will help future primer design for the detection of corresponding genes in the environment.

A linear megaplasmid, p1CP, carrying the genes for chlorocatechol catabolism of Rhodococcus opacus 1CP.

The Gram-positive actinobacterium Rhodococcus opacus 1CP is able to utilize several (chloro)aromatic compounds as sole carbon sources, and gene clusters for various catabolic enzymes and pathways have previously been identified. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis indicates the occurrence of a 740 kb megaplasmid, designated p1CP. Linear topology and the presence of covalently bound proteins were shown by the unchanged electrophoretic mobility after S1 nuclease treatment and by the immobility of the native plasmid during non-denaturing agarose gel electrophoresis, respectively. Sequence comparisons of both termini revealed a perfect 13 bp terminal inverted repeat (TIR) as part of an imperfect 583/587 bp TIR, as well as two copies of the highly conserved centre (GCTXCGC) of a palindromic motif. An initial restriction analysis of p1CP was performed. By means of PCR and hybridization techniques, p1CP was screened for several genes encoding enzymes of (chloro)aromatic degradation. A single maleylacetate reductase gene macA, the clc gene cluster for 4-chloro-/3,5-dichlorocatechol degradation, and the clc2 gene cluster for 3-chlorocatechol degradation were found on p1CP whereas the cat and pca gene clusters for the catechol and the protocatechuate pathways, respectively, were not. Prolonged cultivation of the wild-type strain 1CP under non-selective conditions led to the isolation of the clc- and clc2-deficient mutants 1CP.01 and 1CP.02 harbouring the shortened plasmid variants p1CP.01 (500 kb) and p1CP.02 (400 kb).

A new modified ortho cleavage pathway of 3-chlorocatechol degradation by Rhodococcus opacus 1CP: genetic and biochemical evidence.

The 4-chloro- and 2,4-dichlorophenol-degrading strain Rhodococcus opacus 1CP has previously been shown to acquire, during prolonged adaptation, the ability to mineralize 2-chlorophenol. In addition, homogeneous chlorocatechol 1,2-dioxygenase from 2-chlorophenol-grown biomass has shown relatively high activity towards 3-chlorocatechol. Based on sequences of the N terminus and tryptic peptides of this enzyme, degenerate PCR primers were now designed and used for cloning of the respective gene from genomic DNA of strain 1CP. A 9.5-kb fragment containing nine open reading frames was obtained on pROP1. Besides other genes, a gene cluster consisting of four chlorocatechol catabolic genes was identified. As judged by sequence similarity and correspondence of predicted N termini with those of purified enzymes, the open reading frames correspond to genes for a second chlorocatechol 1,2-dioxygenase (ClcA2), a second chloromuconate cycloisomerase (ClcB2), a second dienelactone hydrolase (ClcD2), and a muconolactone isomerase-related enzyme (ClcF). All enzymes of this new cluster are only distantly related to the known chlorocatechol enzymes and appear to represent new evolutionary lines of these activities. UV overlay spectra as well as high-pressure liquid chromatography analyses confirmed that 2-chloro-cis,cis-muconate is transformed by ClcB2 to 5-chloromuconolactone, which during turnover by ClcF gives cis-dienelactone as the sole product. cis-Dienelactone was further hydrolyzed by ClcD2 to maleylacetate. ClcF, despite its sequence similarity to muconolactone isomerases, no longer showed muconolactone-isomerizing activity and thus represents an enzyme dedicated to its new function as a 5-chloromuconolactone dehalogenase. Thus, during 3-chlorocatechol degradation by R. opacus 1CP, dechlorination is catalyzed by a muconolactone isomerase-related enzyme rather than by a specialized chloromuconate cycloisomerase.