Regioselective carboxylation of 1,3-dihydroxybenzene by 2,6-dihydroxybenzoate decarboxylase of Pandoraea sp. 12B-2

A pushed biosynthesis of 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid by the recombinant 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid decarboxylase immobilized on novel amino-modified lignin-containing cellulose nanocrystal aerogel

Production of 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,6-DHBA) via enzymatic carboxylation of resorcinol by decarboxylases is of great promising but shows depressed equilibrium conversion. In this study, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid decarboxylase from Aspergillus oryzae (2,3-DHBD_Ao) pushing the conversion towards carboxylation for efficient 2,6-DHBA biosynthesis was achieved. Meanwhile, a novel amino-modified and lignin-doped cellulose nanocrystal aerogel (A-LCNCA) with high specific surface area and prominent CO2 capture was prepared for 2,3-DHBD_Ao immobilization. 2,3-DHBD_Ao@A-LCNC contributed a further enhanced conversion of carboxylation with the maximal conversion of 76.2 %, which was correlated to both the activity of 2,3-DHBD_Ao and the high CO2 loading capacity of A-LCNCA. Moreover, 2,3-DHBD_Ao@A-LCNC exhibited superior performances in a wider range of temperature and higher concentrations of substrate, with a prolonged storage period longer than 30 days. After seven cycles reuse, 2,3-DHBD_Ao@A-LCNCA could retain 85.3 % of its original activity. These results suggest a considerable potential of 2,3-DHBD_Ao@A-LCNCA in the selective biosynthesis of 2,6-DHBA.

Enzymatic Conversion of CO2: From Natural to Artificial Utilization

Enzymatic carbon dioxide fixation is one of the most important metabolic reactions as it allows the capture of inorganic carbon from the atmosphere and its conversion into organic biomass. However, due to the often unfavorable thermodynamics and the difficulties associated with the utilization of CO₂, a gaseous substrate that is found in comparatively low concentrations in the atmosphere, such reactions remain challenging for biotechnological applications. Nature has tackled these problems by evolution of dedicated CO₂-fixing enzymes, i.e., carboxylases, and embedding them in complex metabolic pathways. Biotechnology employs such carboxylating and decarboxylating enzymes for the carboxylation of aromatic and aliphatic substrates either by embedding them into more complex reaction cascades or by shifting the reaction equilibrium via reaction engineering. This review aims to provide an overview of natural CO₂-fixing enzymes and their mechanistic similarities. We also discuss biocatalytic applications of carboxylases and decarboxylases for the synthesis of valuable products and provide a separate summary of strategies to improve the efficiency of such processes. We briefly summarize natural CO₂ fixation pathways, provide a roadmap for the design and implementation of artificial carbon fixation pathways, and highlight examples of biocatalytic cascades involving carboxylases. Additionally, we suggest that biochemical utilization of reduced CO₂ derivates, such as formate or methanol, represents a suitable alternative to direct use of CO₂ and provide several examples. Our discussion closes with a techno-economic perspective on enzymatic CO₂ fixation and its potential to reduce CO₂ emissions.

Genome insights from the identification of a novel Pandoraea sputorum isolate and its characteristics

In this study, we sequenced a bacteria isolate Pandoraea sp. 892iso isolated from a Phytophthora rubi strain which is an important plant pathogenic oomycete, identified through genome and combined the data with existing genomic data from other 28 the genus of Pandoraea species. Next, we conducted a comparative genomic analysis of the genome structure, evolutionary relationships, and pathogenic characteristics of Pandoraea species. Our results identified Pandoraea sp. 892iso as Pandoraea sputorum at both the genome and gene levels. At the genome level, we carried out phylogenetic analysis of single-copy, gene co-linearity, ANI (average nucleotide identity) and AAI (average amino acid identity) indices, rpoB similarity, MLSA phylogenetic analysis, and genome-to-genome distance calculator calculations to identify the relationship between Pandoraea sp. 892iso and P. sputorum. At the gene level, the quorum sensing genes ppnI and ppnR and the OXA-159 gene were assessed. It is speculated that Pandoraea sp. 892iso is the endosymbiont of the Oomycetes strain of Phytophthora rubi.

Synthetic Enzyme-Catalyzed CO2 Fixation Reactions

In recent years, (de)carboxylases that catalyze reversible (de)carboxylation have been targeted for application as carboxylation catalysts. This has led to the development of proof-of-concept (bio)synthetic CO2 fixation routes for chemical production. However, further progress towards industrial application has been hampered by the thermodynamic constraint that accompanies fixing CO2 to organic molecules. In this Review, biocatalytic carboxylation methods are discussed with emphases on the diverse strategies devised to alleviate the inherent thermodynamic constraints and their application in synthetic CO2 -fixation cascades.

Metal Ion Promiscuity and Structure of 2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic Acid Decarboxylase of Aspergillus oryzae

Broad substrate tolerance and excellent regioselectivity, as well as independence from sensitive cofactors have established benzoic acid decarboxylases from microbial sources as efficient biocatalysts. Robustness under process conditions makes them particularly attractive for preparative-scale applications. The divalent metal-dependent enzymes are capable of catalyzing the reversible non-oxidative (de)carboxylation of a variety of electron-rich (hetero)aromatic substrates analogously to the chemical Kolbe-Schmitt reaction. Elemental mass spectrometry supported by crystal structure elucidation and quantum chemical calculations verified the presence of a catalytically relevant Mg2+ complexed in the active site of 2,3-dihydroxybenoic acid decarboxylase from Aspergillus oryzae (2,3-DHBD_Ao). This unique example with respect to the nature of the metal is in contrast to mechanistically related decarboxylases, which generally have Zn2+ or Mn2+ as the catalytically active metal.

Non-Oxidative Enzymatic (De)Carboxylation of (Hetero)Aromatics and Acrylic Acid Derivatives

The utilization of carbon dioxide as a C1-building block for the production of valuable chemicals has recently attracted much interest. Whereas chemical CO2 fixation is dominated by C-O and C-N bond forming reactions, the development of novel concepts for the carboxylation of C-nucleophiles, which leads to the formation of carboxylic acids, is highly desired. Beside transition metal catalysis, biocatalysis has emerged as an attractive method for the highly regioselective (de)carboxylation of electron-rich (hetero)aromatics, which has been recently further expanded to include conjugated α,β-unsaturated (acrylic) acid derivatives. Depending on the type of substrate, different classes of enzymes have been explored for (i) the ortho-carboxylation of phenols catalyzed by metal-dependent ortho-benzoic acid decarboxylases and (ii) the side-chain carboxylation of para-hydroxystyrenes mediated by metal-independent phenolic acid decarboxylases. Just recently, the portfolio of bio-carboxylation reactions was complemented by (iii) the para-carboxylation of phenols and the decarboxylation of electron-rich heterocyclic and acrylic acid derivatives mediated by prenylated FMN-dependent decarboxylases, which is the main focus of this review. Bio(de)carboxylation processes proceed under physiological reaction conditions employing bicarbonate or (pressurized) CO2 when running in the energetically uphill carboxylation direction. Aiming to facilitate the application of these enzymes in preparative-scale biotransformations, their catalytic mechanism and substrate scope are analyzed in this review.

Carboxylation of Hydroxyaromatic Compounds with HCO3− by Enzyme Catalysis: Recent Advances Open the Perspective for Valorization of Lignin-Derived Aromatics

This review focuses on recent advances in the field of enzymatic carboxylation reactions of hydroxyaromatic compounds using HCO3− (as a CO2 source) to produce hydroxybenzoic and other phenolic acids in mild conditions with high selectivity and moderate to excellent yield. Nature offers an extensive portfolio of enzymes catalysing reversible decarboxylation of hydroxyaromatic acids, whose equilibrium can be pushed towards the side of the carboxylated products. Extensive structural and mutagenesis studies have allowed recent advances in the understanding of the reaction mechanism of decarboxylase enzymes, ultimately enabling an improved yield and expansion of the scope of the reaction. The topic is of particular relevance today as the scope of the carboxylation reactions can be extended to include lignin-related compounds in view of developing lignin biorefinery technology.

Reaction Mechanism and Substrate Specificity of Iso-orotate Decarboxylase: A Combined Theoretical and Experimental Study

The C-C bond cleavage catalyzed by metal-dependent iso-orotate decarboxylase (IDCase) from the thymidine salvage pathway is of interest for the elucidation of a (hypothetical) DNA demethylation pathway. IDCase appears also as a promising candidate for the synthetic regioselective carboxylation of N-heteroaromatics. Herein, we report a joint experimental-theoretical study to gain insights into the metal identity, reaction mechanism, and substrate specificity of IDCase. In contrast to previous assumptions, the enzyme is demonstrated by ICPMS/MS measurements to contain a catalytically relevant Mn²⁺ rather than Zn²⁺. Quantum chemical calculations revealed that decarboxylation of the natural substrate (5-carboxyuracil) proceeds via a (reverse) electrophilic aromatic substitution with formation of CO₂. The occurrence of previously proposed tetrahedral carboxylate intermediates with concomitant formation of HCO3- could be ruled out on the basis of prohibitively high energy barriers. In contrast to related o-benzoic acid decarboxylases, such as γ-resorcylate decarboxylase and 5-carboxyvanillate decarboxylase, which exhibit a relaxed substrate tolerance for phenolic acids, IDCase shows high substrate fidelity. Structural and energy comparisons suggest that this is caused by a unique hydrogen bonding of the heterocyclic natural substrate (5-carboxyuracil) to the surrounding residues. Analysis of calculated energies also shows that the reverse carboxylation of uracil is impeded by a strongly disfavored uphill reaction.

Terminal Alkenes from Acrylic Acid Derivatives via Non-Oxidative Enzymatic Decarboxylation by Ferulic Acid Decarboxylases

Fungal ferulic acid decarboxylases (FDCs) belong to the UbiD-family of enzymes and catalyse the reversible (de)carboxylation of cinnamic acid derivatives through the use of a prenylated flavin cofactor. The latter is synthesised by the flavin prenyltransferase UbiX. Herein, we demonstrate the applicability of FDC/UbiX expressing cells for both isolated enzyme and whole-cell biocatalysis. FDCs exhibit high activity with total turnover numbers (TTN) of up to 55000 and turnover frequency (TOF) of up to 370 min-1. Co-solvent compatibility studies revealed FDC's tolerance to some organic solvents up 20 % v/v. Using the in-vitro (de)carboxylase activity of holo-FDC as well as whole-cell biocatalysts, we performed a substrate profiling study of three FDCs, providing insights into structural determinants of activity. FDCs display broad substrate tolerance towards a wide range of acrylic acid derivatives bearing (hetero)cyclic or olefinic substituents at C3 affording conversions of up to >99 %. The synthetic utility of FDCs was demonstrated by a preparative-scale decarboxylation.

Pressurized CO2 as a carboxylating agent for the biocatalytic ortho-carboxylation of resorcinol

The utilization of gaseous carbon dioxide instead of bicarbonate would greatly facilitate process development for enzyme catalyzed carboxylations on a large scale. As a proof-of-concept, 1,3-dihydroxybenzene (resorcinol) was carboxylated in the ortho-position using pressurized CO₂ (∼30-40 bar) catalyzed by ortho-benzoic acid decarboxylases with up to 68% conversion. Optimization studies revealed tight pH-control and enzyme stability as the most important determinants.

Mechanism and Structure of γ-Resorcylate Decarboxylase

γ-Resorcylate decarboxylase (γ-RSD) has evolved to catalyze the reversible decarboxylation of 2,6-dihydroxybenzoate to resorcinol in a nonoxidative fashion. This enzyme is of significant interest because of its potential for the production of γ-resorcylate and other benzoic acid derivatives under environmentally sustainable conditions. Kinetic constants for the decarboxylation of 2,6-dihydroxybenzoate catalyzed by γ-RSD from Polaromonas sp. JS666 are reported, and the enzyme is shown to be active with 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate, 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzoate, and 2,6-dihydroxy-4-methylbenzoate. The three-dimensional structure of γ-RSD with the inhibitor 2-nitroresorcinol (2-NR) bound in the active site is reported. 2-NR is directly ligated to a Mn²⁺ bound in the active site, and the nitro substituent of the inhibitor is tilted significantly from the plane of the phenyl ring. The inhibitor exhibits a binding mode different from that of the substrate bound in the previously determined structure of γ-RSD from Rhizobium sp. MTP-10005. On the basis of the crystal structure of the enzyme from Polaromonas sp. JS666, complementary density functional calculations were performed to investigate the reaction mechanism. In the proposed reaction mechanism, γ-RSD binds 2,6-dihydroxybenzoate by direct coordination of the active site manganese ion to the carboxylate anion of the substrate and one of the adjacent phenolic oxygens. The enzyme subsequently catalyzes the transfer of a proton to C1 of γ-resorcylate prior to the actual decarboxylation step. The reaction mechanism proposed previously, based on the structure of γ-RSD from Rhizobium sp. MTP-10005, is shown to be associated with high energies and thus less likely to be correct.

Regioselective para-Carboxylation of Catechols with a Prenylated Flavin Dependent Decarboxylase

The utilization of CO2 as a carbon source for organic synthesis meets the urgent demand for more sustainability in the production of chemicals. Herein, we report on the enzyme-catalyzed para-carboxylation of catechols, employing 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid decarboxylases (AroY) that belong to the UbiD enzyme family. Crystal structures and accompanying solution data confirmed that AroY utilizes the recently discovered prenylated FMN (prFMN) cofactor, and requires oxidative maturation to form the catalytically competent prFMNiminium species. This study reports on the in vitro reconstitution and activation of a prFMN-dependent enzyme that is capable of directly carboxylating aromatic catechol substrates under ambient conditions. A reaction mechanism for the reversible decarboxylation involving an intermediate with a single covalent bond between a quinoid adduct and cofactor is proposed, which is distinct from the mechanism of prFMN-associated 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions in related enzymes.

Amine-Mediated Enzymatic Carboxylation of Phenols Using CO2 as Substrate Increases Equilibrium Conversions and Reaction Rates

A variety of strategies is applied to alleviate thermodynamic and kinetic limitations in biocatalytic carboxylation of metabolites in vivo. A key feature to consider in enzymatic carboxylations is the nature of the cosubstrate: CO₂ or its hydrated form, bicarbonate. The substrate binding and activation mechanism determine what the actual carboxylation agent is. Dihydroxybenzoic acid (de)carboxylases catalyze the reversible regio-selective ortho-(de)carboxylation of phenolics. These enzymes have attracted considerable attention in the last 10 years due to their potential in substituting harsh conditions typical of chemical carboxylations (100-200 °C, 5-100 bar) with, ideally, greener ones (20-40 °C, 1 bar). They are reported to use bicarbonate as substrate, needed in large excess to overcome thermodynamic and kinetic limitations. Therefore, CO₂ can be used as substrate by these enzymes only if it is converted into bicarbonate in situ. In this contribution, we report the simultaneous amine-mediated conversion of CO₂ into bicarbonate and the ortho-carboxylation of different phenolic molecules catalyzed by 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (de)carboxylase from Aspergillus oryzae. Our results show that under the newly developed conditions a significant thermodynamic (up to twofold increase in conversion) and kinetic improvement (up to approx. fivefold increase in rate) of the biocatalytic carboxylation of catechol is achieved.

Regioselective Enzymatic Carboxylation of Bioactive (Poly)phenols

In order to extend the applicability of the regioselective enzymatic carboxylation of phenols, the substrate scope of o-benzoic acid (de)carboxylases has been investigated towards complex molecules with an emphasis on flavouring agents and polyphenols possessing antioxidant properties. o-Hydroxycarboxylic acid products were obtained with perfect regioselectivity, in moderate to excellent yields. The applicability of this method was proven by the regioselective bio-carboxylation of resveratrol on a preparative scale with 95% yield.

γ-Resorcylate catabolic-pathway genes in the soil actinomycete Rhodococcus jostii RHA1

The Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 gene cluster required for γ-resorcylate (GRA) catabolism was characterized. The cluster includes tsdA, tsdB, tsdC, tsdD, tsdR, tsdT, and tsdX, which encode GRA decarboxylase, resorcinol 4-hydroxylase, hydroxyquinol 1,2-dioxygenase, maleylacetate reductase, an IclR-type regulator, a major facilitator superfamily transporter, and a putative hydrolase, respectively. The tsdA gene conferred GRA decarboxylase activity on Escherichia coli. Purified TsdB oxidized NADH in the presence of resorcinol, suggesting that tsdB encodes a unique NADH-specific single-component resorcinol 4-hydroxylase. Mutations in either tsdA or tsdB resulted in growth deficiency on GRA. The tsdC and tsdD genes conferred hydroxyquinol 1,2-dioxygenase and maleylacetate reductase activities, respectively, on E. coli. Inactivation of tsdT significantly retarded the growth of RHA1 on GRA. The growth retardation was partially suppressed under acidic conditions, suggesting the involvement of tsdT in GRA uptake. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis revealed that the tsd genes constitute three transcriptional units, the tsdBADC and tsdTX operons and tsdR. Transcription of the tsdBADC and tsdTX operons was induced during growth on GRA. Inactivation of tsdR derepressed transcription of the tsdBADC and tsdTX operons in the absence of GRA, suggesting that tsd gene transcription is negatively regulated by the tsdR-encoded regulator. Binding of TsdR to the tsdR-tsdB and tsdT-tsdR intergenic regions was inhibited by the addition of GRA, indicating that GRA interacts with TsdR as an effector molecule.

Regioselective Enzymatic β-Carboxylation of para-Hydroxy- styrene Derivatives Catalyzed by Phenolic Acid Decarboxylases

We report on a 'green' method for the utilization of carbon dioxide as C1 unit for the regioselective synthesis of (E)-cinnamic acids via regioselective enzymatic carboxylation of para-hydroxystyrenes. Phenolic acid decarboxylases from bacterial sources catalyzed the β-carboxylation of para-hydroxystyrene derivatives with excellent regio- and (E/Z)-stereoselectivity by exclusively acting at the β-carbon atom of the C=C side chain to furnish the corresponding (E)-cinnamic acid derivatives in up to 40% conversion at the expense of bicarbonate as carbon dioxide source. Studies on the substrate scope of this strategy are presented and a catalytic mechanism is proposed based on molecular modelling studies supported by mutagenesis of amino acid residues in the active site.

Biocatalytic carboxylation of phenol derivatives: kinetics and thermodynamics of the biological Kolbe-Schmitt synthesis

Microbial decarboxylases, which catalyse the reversible regioselective ortho-carboxylation of phenolic derivatives in anaerobic detoxification pathways, have been studied for their reverse carboxylation activities on electron-rich aromatic substrates. Ortho-hydroxybenzoic acids are important building blocks in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries and are currently produced via the Kolbe-Schmitt process, which requires elevated pressures and temperatures (≥ 5 bar, ≥ 100 °C) and often shows incomplete regioselectivities. In order to resolve bottlenecks in view of preparative-scale applications, we studied the kinetic parameters for 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid decarboxylase from Rhizobium sp. in the carboxylation- and decarboxylation-direction using 1,2-dihydroxybenzene (catechol) as starting material. The catalytic properties (K(m), V(max)) are correlated with the overall thermodynamic equilibrium via the Haldane equation, according to a reversible random bi-uni mechanism. The model was subsequently verified by comparing experimental results with simulations. This study provides insights into the catalytic behaviour of a nonoxidative aromatic decarboxylase and reveals key limitations (e.g. substrate oxidation, CO2 pressure, enzyme deactivation, low turnover frequency) in view of the employment of this system as a 'green' alternative to the Kolbe-Schmitt processes.

Pushing the equilibrium of regio-complementary carboxylation of phenols and hydroxystyrene derivatives

The enzymatic carboxylation of electron-rich aromatics, which represents a promising 'green' equivalent to the chemical Kolbe-Schmitt reaction, is thermodynamically disfavored and is therefore impeded by incomplete conversions. Optimization of the reaction conditions, such as pH, temperature, substrate concentration and the use of organic co-solvents and/or ionic liquids allowed to push the conversion in favor of carboxylation by a factor of up to 50%. Careful selection of the type of bicarbonate salt used as CO2 source was crucial to ensure optimal activities. Among two types of carboxylases tested with their natural substrates, benzoic acid decarboxylase from Rhizobium sp. proved to be significantly more stable than phenolic acid decarboxylase from Mycobacterium colombiense; it tolerated reaction temperatures of up to 50 °C and substrate concentrations of up to 100mM and allowed efficient biocatalyst recycling.

Evolutionary history and biotechnological future of carboxylases

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a potent greenhouse gas whose presence in the atmosphere is a critical factor for global warming. At the same time atmospheric CO2 is also a cheap and readily available carbon source that can in principle be used to synthesize value-added products. However, as uncatalyzed chemical CO2-fixation reactions usually require quite harsh conditions to functionalize the CO2 molecule, not many processes have been developed that make use of CO2. In contrast to synthetical chemistry, Nature provides a multitude of different carboxylating enzymes whose carboxylating principle(s) might be exploited in biotechnology. This review focuses on the biochemical features of carboxylases, highlights possible evolutionary scenarios for the emergence of their reactivity, and discusses current, as well as potential future applications of carboxylases in organic synthesis, biotechnology and synthetic biology.

Regioselective enzymatic carboxylation of phenols and hydroxystyrene derivatives

The enzymatic carboxylation of phenol and styrene derivatives using (de)carboxylases in carbonate buffer proceeded in a highly regioselective fashion: Benzoic acid (de)carboxylases selectively formed o-hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives, phenolic acid (de)carboxylases selectively acted at the β-carbon atom of styrenes forming (E)-cinnamic acids.

Biocatalytic carboxylation

Dwindling petroleum feedstocks and increased CO(2)-concentrations in the atmosphere currently open the concept of using CO(2) as raw material for the synthesis of well-defined organic compounds. In parallel to recent advances in the chemical CO(2)-fixation, enzymatic (biocatalytic) carboxylation is currently being investigated at an increased pace. On the one hand, this critical review provides a concise overview on highly specific biosynthetic pathways for CO(2)-fixation and, on the other hand, a summary of biodegradation (detoxification) processes involving enzymes which possess relaxed substrate specificities, which allow their application for the regioselective carboxylation of organic substrates to furnish the corresponding carboxylic acids (145 references).

Properties of the reversible nonoxidative vanillate / 4-hydroxybenzoate decarboxylase fromBacillus subtilis

Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6051) reversibly decarboxylates vanillate and 4-hydroxybenzoate under both aerobic and anoxic conditions. Thus, we have identified on the basis of gene sequence homology with Sedimentibacter hydroxybenzoicus and Streptomyces sp. strain D7, a putative B. subtilis hydroxybenzoate decarboxylase. The native form of this enzyme is encoded by 3 genes yclBCD (GI Sequence Identification Nos.: 2632649, 2632650, 2632651) that we have renamed during this research as bsdBCD to align with existing nomenclature. The bsdD gene is reported in the database to be 690 bp; however, our sequence analysis revealed that the size of this gene is in fact 228 bp, an observation that results in a shortening of YclD (i.e., BsdD) from 229 to 75 aa. The corresponding bsdBCD genes were cloned into Escherichia coli , and the heterologously expressed enzyme was assayed for activity. The decarboxylase exhibited a narrow substrate range, with only 2 of the tested substrates, vanillate (Kmapp = 4 mmol·L–1) and 4-hydroxybenzoate (Kmapp = ~1 mmol·L–1), being decarboxylated. The recombinant enzyme had properties similar to that of the native enzyme in respect to specific activity, kinetic properties, bidirectional decarboxylase–carboxylase activity, oxygen insensitivity, and substrate specificity.

Evidence of species succession during chlorobenzene biodegradation

We have previously reported the disappearance of a specific strain degrading chlorobenzene from a functionally stable bioreactor. In the present work, we investigated this species succession and isolated a new dominant strain, identified as Pandoraea pnomenusa sp. strain MCB032. A specific 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probe was designed and validated to identify strain MCB032 using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). The results confirmed the presence of strain MCB032 in samples collected over time, and showed that it was primarily located within the biofilm. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) provided evidence that the species succession occurred early in the operating period. The application of these biomolecular tools highlighted the remarkable stability of this new strain during the 15 months of reactor operation. The succession was attributed to the competitive kinetic behaviour of strain MCB032, which exhibited faster growth (micro(max) = 0.34 h(-1)) and higher substrate affinity (K(s) = 0.35 mg L(-1)) than strain JS150. Finally, this study contributed to the characterisation of the recently established Pandoraea genus, an emerging group in the biodegradation field.

Biochemical and genetic analysis of the gamma-resorcylate (2,6-dihydroxybenzoate) catabolic pathway in Rhizobium sp. strain MTP-10005: identification and functional analysis of its gene cluster

We identified a gene cluster that is involved in the gamma-resorcylate (2,6-dihydroxybenzoate) catabolism of the aerobic bacterium Rhizobium sp. strain MTP-10005. The cluster consists of the graRDAFCBEK genes, and graA, graB, graC, and graD were heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. Enzymological studies showed that graD, graA, graC, and graB encode the reductase (GraD) and oxygenase (GraA) components of a resorcinol hydroxylase (EC 1.14.13.x), a maleylacetate reductase (GraC) (EC 1.3.1.32), and a hydroxyquinol 1,2-dioxygenase (GraB) (EC 1.13.11.37). Bioinformatic analyses suggested that graE, graR, and graK encode a protein with an unknown function (GraE), a MarR-type transcriptional regulator (GraR), and a benzoate transporter (GraK). Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR of graF, which encodes gamma-resorcylate decarboxylase, revealed that the maximum relative mRNA expression level ([5.93 +/- 0.82] x 10(-4)) of graF was detected in the total RNA of the cells after one hour of cultivation when gamma-resorcylate was used as the sole carbon source. Reverse transcription-PCR of graDAFCBE showed that these genes are transcribed as a single mRNA and that the transcription of the gene cluster is induced by gamma-resorcylate. These results suggested that the graDAFCBE genes are responsible as an operon for the growth of Rhizobium sp. strain MTP-10005 on gamma-resorcylate and are probably regulated by GraR at the transcriptional level. This is the first report of the gamma-resorcylate catabolic pathway in an aerobic bacterium.