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Butler J, Kelly SD, Muddiman KJ, Besinis A, Upton M. Hospital sink traps as a potential source of the emerging multidrug-resistant pathogen Cupriavidus pauculus: characterization and draft genome sequence of strain MF1. J Med Microbiol 2022; 71. [PMID: 35113779 PMCID: PMC8941954 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction.Cupriavidus pauculus is historically found in soil and water but has more recently been reported to cause human infection and death. Hospital sink traps can serve as a niche for bacterial persistence and a platform for horizontal gene transfer, with evidence of dissemination of pathogens in hospital plumbing systems driving nosocomial infection. Gap Statement. This paper presents the first C. pauculus strain isolated from a hospital sink trap. There are only six genome assemblies available on NCBI for C. pauculus; two of these are PacBio/Illumina hybrids. This paper presents the first ONT/Illumina hybrid assembly, with five contigs. The other assemblies available consist of 37, 38, 111 and 227 contigs. This paper also presents data on biofilm formation and lethal dose in Galleria mellonella; there is little published information describing these aspects of virulence. Aim. The aims were to identify the isolate found in a hospital sink trap, characterize its genome, and assess whether it could pose a risk to human health. Methodology. The genome was sequenced, and a hybrid assembly of short and long reads produced. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the broth microdilution method. Virulence was assessed by measuring in vitro biofilm formation compared to Pseudomonas aeruginosa and in vivo lethality in Galleria mellonella larvae. Results. The isolate was confirmed to be a strain of C. pauculus, with a 6.8 Mb genome consisting of 6468 coding sequences and an overall G+C content of 63.9 mol%. The genome was found to contain 12 antibiotic resistance genes, 8 virulence factor genes and 33 metal resistance genes. The isolate can be categorized as resistant to meropenem, amoxicillin, amikacin, gentamicin and colistin, but susceptible to cefotaxime, cefepime, imipenem and ciprofloxacin. Clear biofilm formation was seen in all conditions over 72 h and exceeded that of P. aeruginosa when measured at 37 °C in R2A broth. Lethality in G. mellonella larvae over 48 h was relatively low. Conclusion. The appearance of a multidrug-resistant strain of C. pauculus in a known pathogen reservoir within a clinical setting should be considered concerning. Further work should be completed to compare biofilm formation and in vivo virulence between clinical and environmental strains, to determine how easily environmental strains may establish human infection. Infection control teams and clinicians should be aware of the emerging nature of this pathogen and further work is needed to minimize the impact of contaminated hospital plumbing systems on patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Butler
- School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Sean D Kelly
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Katie J Muddiman
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Alexandros Besinis
- School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK.,Peninsula Dental School, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Mathew Upton
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
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Mercury bioremediation by mercury resistance transposon-mediated in situ molecular breeding. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:3037-3048. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-8847-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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D'Inzeo T, Santangelo R, Fiori B, De Angelis G, Conte V, Giaquinto A, Palucci I, Scoppettuolo G, Di Florio V, Giani T, Sanguinetti M, Rossolini GM, Spanu T. Catheter-related bacteremia by Cupriavidus metallidurans. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2014; 81:9-12. [PMID: 25446890 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2014.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cupriavidus bacteremia is a rare infection and identification of the pathogen is difficult. We present four cases of bacteremia by Cupriavidus metallidurans that were initially identified to the genus level by both Bruker and Vitek matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and later identified to the species level by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. To our knowledge, these are the first cases of C. metallidurans catheter-related infections. Patients were successfully treated with antibiotic therapy and catheter removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana D'Inzeo
- Institutes of Microbiology, Catholic University School of Medicine, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Rosaria Santangelo
- Institutes of Microbiology, Catholic University School of Medicine, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Barbara Fiori
- Institutes of Microbiology, Catholic University School of Medicine, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Giulia De Angelis
- Institutes of Microbiology, Catholic University School of Medicine, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Viola Conte
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Alessia Giaquinto
- Institutes of Microbiology, Catholic University School of Medicine, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Ivana Palucci
- Institutes of Microbiology, Catholic University School of Medicine, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Scoppettuolo
- Institutes of Infectious Diseases, Catholic University School of Medicine, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Viviana Di Florio
- Institutes of Microbiology, Catholic University School of Medicine, 00168 Roma, Italy
| | - Tommaso Giani
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Maurizio Sanguinetti
- Institutes of Microbiology, Catholic University School of Medicine, 00168 Roma, Italy.
| | - Gian Maria Rossolini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florenc, 50134 Florence, Italy; Clinical Microbiology and Virology Unit, Florence Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Teresa Spanu
- Institutes of Microbiology, Catholic University School of Medicine, 00168 Roma, Italy
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Liang B, Jiang J, Zhang J, Zhao Y, Li S. Horizontal transfer of dehalogenase genes involved in the catalysis of chlorinated compounds: evidence and ecological role. Crit Rev Microbiol 2011; 38:95-110. [DOI: 10.3109/1040841x.2011.618114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Van Houdt R, Monchy S, Leys N, Mergeay M. New mobile genetic elements in Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34, their possible roles and occurrence in other bacteria. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2009; 96:205-26. [DOI: 10.1007/s10482-009-9345-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2009] [Accepted: 03/18/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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JOSHI MEDHAM, LEE SUNGGYU. Biological Remediation of Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soils UsingAcinetobactersp. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1080/00908319608908757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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7
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Miyazawa D, Mukerjee-Dhar G, Shimura M, Hatta T, Kimbara K. Genes for Mn(II)-dependent NahC and Fe(II)-dependent NahH located in close proximity in the thermophilic naphthalene and PCB degrader, Bacillus sp. JF8: cloning and characterization. Microbiology (Reading) 2004; 150:993-1004. [PMID: 15073308 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.26858-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A 10 kb DNA fragment was isolated using a DNA probe derived from the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the extradiol dioxygenase purified from naphthalene-grownBacillussp. JF8, a thermophilic naphthalene and polychlorinated biphenyl degrader. The cloned DNA fragment had six open reading frames, designatednahHLOMmocBnahCbased on sequence homology, of which the products NahH_JF8 and NahC_JF8 were extradiol dioxygenases. Although NahC_JF8 and NahH_JF8 exhibit low homology to known extradiol dioxygenases, the active-site residues and metal ion ligands are conserved. The presence of Mn(II) in culture medium was found to be essential for production of active recombinant NahC_JF8, while Fe(II) was necessary for active recombinant NahH_JF8. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis of active NahC_JF8 identified the cofactor to be manganese, indicating a Mn(II)-dependent extradiol dioxygenase. NahC_JF8 exhibitedKmvalues of 32±5 μM for 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene and 510±90 μM for 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl at 60 °C. In cell-free extracts, NahH_JF8 exhibited a broad substrate range for 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl, catechol, and 3- and 4-methylcatechol at 25 °C. Stability studies on the Mn(II)-dependent NahC_JF8 indicated that it was thermostable, retaining 50 % activity after incubation at 80 °C for 20 min, and it exhibited resistance to EDTA and H2O2. Northern hybridization studies clarified that both NahC_JF8 and NahH_JF8 were induced by naphthalene; RT-PCR showed thatnahHLOMmocBnahCis expressed as a single transcript.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Miyazawa
- Department of Built Environment, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8502, Japan
| | - Gouri Mukerjee-Dhar
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Railway Technical Research Institute, 2-8-38, Hikari-cho, Kokubunji, Tokyo 185-8540, Japan
| | - Minoru Shimura
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Railway Technical Research Institute, 2-8-38, Hikari-cho, Kokubunji, Tokyo 185-8540, Japan
| | - Takashi Hatta
- Research Institute of Technology, Okayama University of Science, Okayama 703-8232, Japan
| | - Kazuhide Kimbara
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Railway Technical Research Institute, 2-8-38, Hikari-cho, Kokubunji, Tokyo 185-8540, Japan
- Department of Built Environment, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8502, Japan
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8
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Hoffmann D, Kleinsteuber S, Müller RH, Babel W. A transposon encoding the complete 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid degradation pathway in the alkalitolerant strain Delftia acidovorans P4a. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2003; 149:2545-2556. [PMID: 12949179 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.26260-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The bacterial strain Delftia acidovorans P4a, isolated from an extreme environment (heavily contaminated with organochlorines, highly alkaline conditions in an aqueous environment), was found to mineralize 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid under alkaline conditions. Screening a genomic DNA library of the alkalitolerant strain for 2,4-D genes revealed the presence of the two 2,4-D gene clusters tfdCDEF and tfdC(II)E(II)BKA, tfdR genes being located in the vicinity of each tfd gene cluster. The results showed that the putative genes of the complete 2,4-D degradation pathway are organized in a single genomic unit. Sequence similarities to homologous gene clusters indicate that the individual tfd elements of strain P4a do not share a common origin, but were brought together by recombination events. The entire region is flanked by insertion elements of the IS1071 and IS1380 families, forming a transposon-like structure of about 30 kb, of which 28.4 kb were analysed. This element was shown to be located on the bacterial chromosome. The present study provides the first reported case of a chromosomally located catabolic transposon which carries the genes for the complete 2,4-D degradation pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doreen Hoffmann
- UFZ Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Environmental Microbiology, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabine Kleinsteuber
- UFZ Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Environmental Microbiology, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Roland H Müller
- UFZ Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Environmental Microbiology, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Babel
- UFZ Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Environmental Microbiology, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
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9
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Velkov VV. Stress-induced evolution and the biosafety of genetically modified microorganisms released into the environment. J Biosci 2001; 26:667-83. [PMID: 11807296 DOI: 10.1007/bf02704764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This article is focused on the problems of reduction of the risk associated with the deliberate release of genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) into the environment. Special attention is given to overview the most probable physiological and genetic processes which could be induced in the released GMMs by adverse environmental conditions, namely: (i) activation of quorum sensing and the functions associated with it, (ii) entering into a state of general resistance, (iii) activation of adaptive mutagenesis, adaptive amplifications and transpositions and (iv) stimulation of inter-species gene transfer. To reduce the risks associated with GMMs, the inactivation of their key genes responsible for stress-stimulated increase of viability and evolvability is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- V V Velkov
- Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow region, 142290, Russia.
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Providenti MA, Wyndham RC. Identification and functional characterization of CbaR, a MarR-like modulator of the cbaABC-encoded chlorobenzoate catabolism pathway. Appl Environ Microbiol 2001; 67:3530-41. [PMID: 11472929 PMCID: PMC93053 DOI: 10.1128/aem.67.8.3530-3541.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In Comamonas testosteroni BR60 (formerly Alcaligenes sp. strain BR60), catabolism of the pollutant 3-chlorobenzoate (3CBA) is initiated by enzymes encoded by cbaABC, an operon found on composite transposon Tn5271 of plasmid pBRC60. The cbaABC gene product CbaABC converts 3CBA to protocatechuate (PCA) and 5-Cl-PCA, which are then metabolized by the chromosomal PCA meta (extradiol) ring fission pathway. In this study, cbaA was found to possess a sigma(70) type promoter. O(2) uptake experiments with whole cells and expression studies with cbaA-lacZ constructs showed that cbaABC was induced by 3CBA. Benzoate, which is not a substrate of the 3CBA pathway, was a gratuitous inducer, and CbaR, a MarR family repressor coded for by a divergently transcribed gene upstream of cbaABC, could modulate induction mediated by benzoate. Purified CbaR bound specifically to two regions of the cbaA promoter (P(cbaA)); site I, a high-affinity site, is between the transcriptional start point (position +1) and the start codon of cbaA, while site II, a lower-affinity site, overlaps position +1. 3CBA at concentrations as low as 40 microM interfered with binding to P(cbaA). PCA also interfered with binding, while benzoate only weakly disrupted binding. Unexpectedly, benzoate with a hydroxyl or carboxyl at position 3 improved CbaR binding. Data are also presented that suggest that an unidentified regulator is encoded on the chromosome that induces cbaABC in response to benzoate and 3CBA.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Providenti
- Institute of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
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11
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Rhodes G, Saunders JR, Pickup RW. Detection and distribution of insertion sequence 1 (IS1)-containing bacteria in the freshwater environment(1). FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2000; 34:81-90. [PMID: 11053739 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6941.2000.tb00757.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The distribution of insertion sequence 1 (IS1)-containing bacteria was investigated in Windermere (Cumbria, UK), a freshwater body impacted by treated sewage discharge and run-off from the surrounding catchment. Culturable IS1-containing bacteria were recovered from the water column at three depths in Windermere North Basin (WNB) and South Basin (WSB), and from sediment at both sites (at the sediment surface in WSB and to a depth of 12-13 cm in WNB). Polymerase chain reaction amplification of IS1 and the Escherichia coli/Shigella sp. specific gene uidA, from community DNA from shallow sediments, extended the detection limit beyond that of culture at both sites. This detection was extended further into deep sediment extracted from WNB as IS1 and uidA were detected in sub-samples to a depth of 4.7 and 2.3 m, respectively. Analysis of a representative subset of 90 IS1-carrying isolates recovered from water and sediment at both sites demonstrated 21 heterogeneous IS1 profiles with estimated copy numbers ranging from 1 to 16. Identification of the host bacteria showed that the element was confined mainly to Enterobacter spp. However, this study showed IS1 to be present in Citrobacter freundii for the first time. Plasmids were carried by 75.3% of enterobacterial isolates and four plasmids (2.6%) carried IS1. DNA sequence analysis of five IS1 clones demonstrated that IS1 isoforms from this study were similar (>89% nucleotide identity) to known IS1 isoforms. Two isoforms of IS1 from a single Enterobacter cloacae isolate differed by 6.7% at the nucleotide level suggesting that they had been acquired independently.
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Abstract
Nucleotide sequence analysis, and more recently whole genome analysis, shows that bacterial evolution has often proceeded by horizontal gene flow between different species and genera. In bacteria, gene transfer takes place by transformation, transduction, or conjugation and this review examines the roles of these gene transfer processes, between different bacteria, in a wide variety of ecological niches in the natural environment. This knowledge is necessary for our understanding of plasmid evolution and ecology, as well as for risk assessment. The rise and spread of multiple antibiotic resistance plasmids in medically important bacteria are consequences of intergeneric gene transfer coupled to the selective pressures posed by the increasing use and misuse of antibiotics in medicine and animal feedstuffs. Similarly, the evolution of degradative plasmids is a response to the increasing presence of xenobiotic pollutants in soil and water. Finally, our understanding of the role of horizontal gene transfer in the environment is essential for the evaluation of the possible consequences of the deliberate environmental release of natural or recombinant bacteria for agricultural and bioremediation purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Davison
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Route de Saint Cyr, Versailles, F-78026, France.
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Peel MC, Wyndham RC. Selection of clc, cba, and fcb chlorobenzoate-catabolic genotypes from groundwater and surface waters adjacent to the Hyde park, Niagara Falls, chemical landfill. Appl Environ Microbiol 1999; 65:1627-35. [PMID: 10103260 PMCID: PMC91230 DOI: 10.1128/aem.65.4.1627-1635.1999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The frequency of isolation of three nonhomologous chlorobenzoate catabolic genotypes (clc, cba, and fcb) was determined for 464 isolates from freshwater sediments and groundwater in the vicinity of the Hyde Park industrial landfill site in the Niagara watershed. Samples were collected from both contaminated and noncontaminated sites during spring, summer, and fall and enriched at 4, 22, or 32 degrees C with micromolar to millimolar concentrations of chlorobenzoates and 3-chlorobiphenyl (M. C. Peel and R. C. Wyndham, Microb. Ecol: 33:59-68, 1997). Hybridization at moderate stringency to restriction-digested genomic DNA with DNA probes revealed the chlorocatechol 1,2-dioxygenase operon (clcABD), the 3-chlorobenzoate 3,4-(4,5)-dioxygenase operon (cbaABC), and the 4-chlorobenzoate dehalogenase (fcbB) gene in isolates enriched from all contaminated sites in the vicinity of the industrial landfill. Nevertheless, the known genes were found in less than 10% of the isolates from the contaminated sites, indicating a high level of genetic diversity in the microbial community. The known genotypes were not enriched from the noncontaminated control sites nearby. The clc, cba, and fcb isolates were distributed across five phenotypically distinct groups based on Biolog carbon source utilization, with the breadth of the host range decreasing in the order clc > cba > fcb. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns showed that the cba genes were conserved in all isolates whereas the clc and fcb genes exhibited variation in RFLP patterns. These observations are consistent with the recent spread of the cba genes by horizontal transfer as part of transposon Tn5271 in response to contaminant exposure at Hyde Park. Consistent with this hypothesis, IS1071, the flanking element in Tn5271, was found in all isolates that carried the cba genes. Interestingly, IS1071 was also found in a high proportion of isolates from Hyde Park carrying the clc and fcb genes, as well as in type strains carrying the clcABD operon and the biphenyl (bph) catabolic genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Peel
- Institute of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa K1S 5B6, Canada
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Tsuda M, Tan HM, Nishi A, Furukawa K. Mobile catabolic genes in bacteria. J Biosci Bioeng 1999; 87:401-10. [PMID: 16232491 DOI: 10.1016/s1389-1723(99)80086-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/1999] [Accepted: 03/03/1999] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The recent findings of various mobile catabolic genes have provided some insight into the evolution of microbial degradation systems for xenobiotic compounds. The catabolic genes undergo marked genetic rearrangements due to their presence on transposons or association with mobile genetic elements. Bacterial catabolic transposons fall into three defined structural classes. Class I elements include catabolic genes flanked by two copies of insertion sequences. Class II elements carry short terminal inverted repeats and transpose by the replicative mode in which transposase and resolvase are involved. Conjugative catabolic transposons represent the third class of mobile genetic elements. They carry all the genes required for excision, conjugal transfer to a new host, and integration. This review focuses on the structures, functions and roles of the recently characterized catabolic transposons in bacteria. Also described are the mobile catabolic elements that share structural similarity with the pathogenicity and symbiosis islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Tsuda
- Institute of Genetic Ecology, Tohoku University, Katahira, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
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Plasmids responsible for horizontal transfer of naphthalene catabolism genes between bacteria at a coal tar-contaminated site are homologous to pDTG1 from pseudomonas putida NCIB 9816-4. Appl Environ Microbiol 1998; 64:3633-40. [PMID: 9758778 PMCID: PMC106482 DOI: 10.1128/aem.64.10.3633-3640.1998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of a highly conserved nahAc allele among phylogenetically diverse bacteria carrying naphthalene-catabolic plasmids provided evidence for in situ horizontal gene transfer at a coal tar-contaminated site (J. B. Herrick, K. G. Stuart-Keil, W. C. Ghiorse, and E. L. Madsen, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 63:2330-2337, 1997). The objective of the present study was to identify and characterize the different-sized naphthalene-catabolic plasmids in order to determine the probable mechanism of horizontal transfer of the nahAc gene in situ. Filter matings between naphthalene-degrading bacterial isolates and their cured progeny revealed that the naphthalene-catabolic plasmids were self-transmissible. Limited interstrain transfer was also found. Analysis of the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns indicated that catabolic plasmids from 12 site-derived isolates were closely related to each other and to the naphthalene-catabolic plasmid (pDTG1) of Pseudomonas putida NCIB 9816-4, which was isolated decades ago in Bangor, Wales. The similarity among all site-derived naphthalene-catabolic plasmids and pDTG1 was confirmed by using the entire pDTG1 plasmid as a probe in Southern hybridizations. Two distinct but similar naphthalene-catabolic plasmids were retrieved directly from the microbial community indigenous to the contaminated site in a filter mating by using a cured, rifampin-resistant site-derived isolate as the recipient. RFLP patterns and Southern hybridization showed that both of these newly retrieved plasmids, like the isolate-derived plasmids, were closely related to pDTG1. These data indicate that a pDTG1-like plasmid is the mobile genetic element responsible for transferring naphthalene-catabolic genes among bacteria in situ. The pervasiveness and persistence of this naphthalene-catabolic plasmid suggest that it may have played a role in the adaptation of this microbial community to the coal tar contamination at our study site.
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Di Gioia D, Peel M, Fava F, Wyndham RC. Structures of homologous composite transposons carrying cbaABC genes from Europe and North America. Appl Environ Microbiol 1998; 64:1940-6. [PMID: 9572977 PMCID: PMC106256 DOI: 10.1128/aem.64.5.1940-1946.1998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
IS1071 is a class II transposable element carrying a tnpA gene related to the transposase genes of the Tn3 family. Copies of IS1071 that are conserved with more than 99% nucleotide sequence identity have been found as direct repeats flanking a remarkable variety of catabolic gene sequences worldwide. The sequences of chlorobenzoate catabolic transposons found on pBRC60 (Tn5271) in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and on pCPE3 in Bologna, Italy, show that these transposons were formed from highly homologous IS1071 and cbaABC components (levels of identity, > 99.5 and > 99.3%, respectively). Nevertheless, the junction sequences between the IS1071L and IS1071R elements and the internal DNA differ by 41 and 927 bp, respectively, suggesting that these transposons were assembled independently on the two plasmids. The formation of the right junction in both transposons truncated an open reading frame for a putative aryl-coenzyme A ligase with sequence similarity to benzoate- and p-hydroxybenzoate-coenzyme A ligases of Rhodopseudomonas palustris.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Di Gioia
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Material Science, Faculty of Engineering, University of Bologna, Italy
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Power M, van der Meer JR, Tchelet R, Egli T, Eggen R. Molecular-based methods can contribute to assessments of toxicological risks and bioremediation strategies. J Microbiol Methods 1998. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-7012(98)00018-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Herrick JB, Stuart-Keil KG, Ghiorse WC, Madsen EL. Natural horizontal transfer of a naphthalene dioxygenase gene between bacteria native to a coal tar-contaminated field site. Appl Environ Microbiol 1997; 63:2330-7. [PMID: 9172352 PMCID: PMC168525 DOI: 10.1128/aem.63.6.2330-2337.1997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Horizontal transfer of genes responsible for pollutant biodegradation may play a key role in the evolution of bacterial populations and the adaptation of microbial communities to environmental contaminants. However, field evidence for horizontal gene transfer between microorganisms has traditionally been very difficult to obtain. In this study, the sequences of the 16S rRNA and naphthalene dioxygenase iron-sulfur protein (nahAc) genes of nine naphthalene-degrading bacteria isolated from a coal tar waste-contaminated site, as well as a naphthalene-degrading bacterium from a contaminated site in Washington state and two archetypal naphthalene-degrading strains, were compared. Seven strains from the study site had a single nahAc allele, whereas the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the strains differed by as much as 7.9%. No nahAc alleles from the site were identical to those of the archetypal strains, although the predominant allele was closely related to that of Pseudomonas putida NCIB 9816-4, isolated in the British Isles. However, one site-derived nahAc allele was identical to that of the Washington state strain. Lack of phylogenetic congruence of the nahAc and 16S rRNA genes indicates that relatively recent in situ horizontal transfer of the nahAc gene has occurred, possibly as a direct or indirect consequence of pollutant contamination. Alkaline lysis plasmid preparations and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis have revealed the presence of plasmids ranging in size from 70 to 88 kb in all site isolates. Southern hybridizations with a 407-bp nahAc probe have suggested that the nahAc gene is plasmid borne in all the site isolates but one, a strain isolated from subsurface sediment 400 m upstream from the source of the other site isolates. In this strain and in the naphthalene-degrading strain from Washington state, nahAc appears to be chromosomally located. In addition, one site isolate may carry nahAc on both chromosome and plasmid. Within the group of bacteria with identical nahAc sequences the Southern hybridizations showed that the gene was distributed between plasmids of different sizes and a chromosome. This suggests that plasmid modification after transfer may have been effected by transposons. Horizontal transfer of catabolic genes may play a significant role in the acclimation of microbial communities to pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Herrick
- Section of Microbiology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-8101, USA
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19
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Ecology and Biogeochemistry of in Situ Groundwater Bioremediation. ADVANCES IN MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 1997. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4757-9074-0_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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Nakatsu CH, Fulthorpe RR, Holland BA, Peel MC, Wyndham RC. The phylogenetic distribution of a transposable dioxygenase from the Niagara River watershed. Mol Ecol 1995; 4:593-603. [PMID: 7582167 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.1995.tb00259.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Horizontal gene transfer in the Bacteria has been demonstrated to occur under natural conditions. The ecological impact of gene transfer events depends on the new genetic material being expressed in recipient organisms, and on natural selection processes operating on these recipients. The phylogenetic distribution of cbaAB genes for chlorobenzoate 3,4-(4,5)-dioxygenase, which are carried within Tn5271 on the IncP beta plasmid pBRC60, was investigated using isolates from freshwater microcosms and from the Niagara River watershed. The latter included isolates from surface water, groundwater and bioremediation reactor samples. The cbaAB genes have become integrated, through interspecific transfer, primarily into species of the beta Proteobacteria (44/48 isolates). Only four isolates, identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens (3/48) and Xanthomonas maltophilia (1/48), belonged to the gamma Proteobacteria, despite the observation that pBRC60 was capable of mobilizing these genes into a wide range of beta and gamma Proteobacteria in the laboratory. The natural host range correlated with the distribution of the meta-ring-fission pathway for metabolism of protocatechuates formed when the cbaAB genes were expressed (45/48 isolates). We proposed the hypothesis that natural selection has favoured recipients that successfully integrate the activity of the transferred dioxygenase with the conserved meta ring-fission pathway. The hypothesis was tested by transferring a plasmid construct containing the cbaAB genes into type strains representative of the beta and gamma Proteobacteria. The concept of applying mobile catabolic genes to probe the phylogenetic distribution of compatible degradative pathways is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Nakatsu
- Institute of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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21
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Dahlberg C, Hermansson M. Abundance of Tn3, Tn21, and Tn501 transposase (tnpA) sequences in bacterial community DNA from marine environments. Appl Environ Microbiol 1995; 61:3051-6. [PMID: 7487037 PMCID: PMC167581 DOI: 10.1128/aem.61.8.3051-3056.1995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of the tnpA genes of the transposons Tn3, Tn21, and Tn501 was assessed in total bacterial community DNA isolated from different marine environments. The PCR technique was employed, together with most probable number statistics, to determine the abundance of the target tnpA genes. All three genes could be detected, and the Tn21 tnpA sequences predominated in all samples. The smallest amount of total community DNA in which the Tn21 tnpA sequence could be detected was 0.037 ng, and on the basis of our results, we estimated that this sequence was present in 1 of 1,000 to 10,000 bacteria. Hybridization of the PCR products with the respective tnpA probes verified the Tn21 and Tn501 tnpA sequences but only some of the Tn3 tnpA amplification products. The distribution and dissemination of transposons in natural bacterial communities are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Dahlberg
- Department of General and Marine Microbiology, Göteborg University, Sweden
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Haase A, Smith-Vaughan H, Melder A, Wood Y, Janmaat A, Gilfedder J, Kemp D, Currie B. Subdivision of Burkholderia pseudomallei ribotypes into multiple types by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis provides new insights into epidemiology. J Clin Microbiol 1995; 33:1687-90. [PMID: 7545176 PMCID: PMC228250 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.33.7.1687-1690.1995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Ribotyping has previously been used for epidemiological studies of Burkholderia pseudomallei (previously Pseudomonas pseudomallei). We show here that random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis allows subdivision of strains of the same ribotype. With five different primers, no two epidemiologically unrelated isolates of any single ribotype in this study of 102 isolates from humans, goats, cats, and soil had identical RAPD patterns. Conversely, RAPD analysis showed clonality for isolates from each of two animal outbreaks of melioidosis and from a nontropical focus of animal and human melioidosis spanning 25 years. Some soil isolates were identical to epidemiologically related animal and human isolates as determined by RAPD typing. There was no evidence that the clinical outcome of melioidosis was related to RAPD patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Haase
- Menzies School of Health Research, Casuarina, Northern Territory, Australia
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Abstract
The structure and function of transposable elements that code for catabolic pathways involved in the biodegradation of organic compounds are reviewed. Seven of these catabolic transposons have structural features that place them in the Class I (composite) or Class II (Tn3-family) bacterial elements. One is a conjugative transposon. Another three have been found to have properties of transposable elements but have not been characterized sufficiently to assign to a known class. Structural features of the toluene (Tn4651/Tn4653) and naphthalene (Tn4655) elements that illustrate the enormous potential for acquisition, deletion and rearrangement of DNA within catabolic transposons are discussed. The recently characterized chlorobenzoate (Tn5271) and chlorobenzene (Tn5280) catabolic transposons encode different aromatic ring dioxygenases, however they both illustrate the constraints that must be overcome when recipients of catabolic transposons assemble and regulate complete metabolic pathways for environmental pollutants. The structures of the chlorobenzoate catabolic transposon Tn5271 and the related haloacetate dehalogenase catabolic element of plasmid pUO1 are compared and a hypothesis for their formation is discussed. The structures and activities of catabolic transposons of unknown class coding for the catabolism of halogenated alkanoic acids (DEH) and chlorobiphenyl (Tn4371) are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- R C Wyndham
- Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology, Carleton University, ON Canada
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Fetzner S, Lingens F. Bacterial dehalogenases: biochemistry, genetics, and biotechnological applications. Microbiol Rev 1994; 58:641-85. [PMID: 7854251 PMCID: PMC372986 DOI: 10.1128/mr.58.4.641-685.1994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
This review is a survey of bacterial dehalogenases that catalyze the cleavage of halogen substituents from haloaromatics, haloalkanes, haloalcohols, and haloalkanoic acids. Concerning the enzymatic cleavage of the carbon-halogen bond, seven mechanisms of dehalogenation are known, namely, reductive, oxygenolytic, hydrolytic, and thiolytic dehalogenation; intramolecular nucleophilic displacement; dehydrohalogenation; and hydration. Spontaneous dehalogenation reactions may occur as a result of chemical decomposition of unstable primary products of an unassociated enzyme reaction, and fortuitous dehalogenation can result from the action of broad-specificity enzymes converting halogenated analogs of their natural substrate. Reductive dehalogenation either is catalyzed by a specific dehalogenase or may be mediated by free or enzyme-bound transition metal cofactors (porphyrins, corrins). Desulfomonile tiedjei DCB-1 couples energy conservation to a reductive dechlorination reaction. The biochemistry and genetics of oxygenolytic and hydrolytic haloaromatic dehalogenases are discussed. Concerning the haloalkanes, oxygenases, glutathione S-transferases, halidohydrolases, and dehydrohalogenases are involved in the dehalogenation of different haloalkane compounds. The epoxide-forming halohydrin hydrogen halide lyases form a distinct class of dehalogenases. The dehalogenation of alpha-halosubstituted alkanoic acids is catalyzed by halidohydrolases, which, according to their substrate and inhibitor specificity and mode of product formation, are placed into distinct mechanistic groups. beta-Halosubstituted alkanoic acids are dehalogenated by halidohydrolases acting on the coenzyme A ester of the beta-haloalkanoic acid. Microbial systems offer a versatile potential for biotechnological applications. Because of their enantiomer selectivity, some dehalogenases are used as industrial biocatalysts for the synthesis of chiral compounds. The application of dehalogenases or bacterial strains in environmental protection technologies is discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Fetzner
- Institut für Mikrobiologie der Universität Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
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Springael D, Diels L, Mergeay M. Transfer and expression of PCB-degradative genes into heavy metal resistant Alcaligenes eutrophus strains. Biodegradation 1994; 5:343-57. [PMID: 7765842 DOI: 10.1007/bf00696469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Sites polluted with organic compounds frequently contain inorganic pollutants such as heavy metals. The latter might inhibit the biodegradation of the organics and impair bioremediation. Chromosomally located polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) catabolic genes of Alcaligenes eutrophus A5, Achromobacter sp. LBS1C1 and Alcaligenes denitrificans JB1 were introduced into the heavy metal resistant Alcaligenes eutrophus strain CH34 and related strains by means of natural conjugation. Mobile elements containing the PCB catabolic genes were transferred from A. eutrophus A5 and Achromobacter sp. LB51C1 into A. eutrophus CH34 after transposition onto their endogenous IncP plasmids pSS50 and pSS60, respectively. The PCB catabolic genes of A. denitrificans JB1 were transferred into A. eutrophus CH34 by means of RP4::Mu3A mediated prime plasmid formation. The A. eutrophus CH34 transconjugant strains expressed both catabolic and metal resistance markers. Such constructs may be useful for the decontamination of sites polluted by both organics and heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Springael
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
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Danganan CE, Ye RW, Daubaras DL, Xun L, Chakrabarty AM. Nucleotide sequence and functional analysis of the genes encoding 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid oxygenase in Pseudomonas cepacia AC1100. Appl Environ Microbiol 1994; 60:4100-6. [PMID: 7527626 PMCID: PMC201942 DOI: 10.1128/aem.60.11.4100-4106.1994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas cepacia AC1100 is able to use the chlorinated aromatic compound 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) as the sole source of carbon and energy. One of the early steps in this pathway is the conversion of 2,4,5-T to 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (2,4,5-TCP). 2,4,5-TCP accumulates in the culture medium when AC1100 is grown in the presence of 2,4,5-T. A DNA region from the AC1100 genome has been subcloned as a 2.7-kb SstI-XbaI DNA fragment, which on transfer to Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 allows the conversion of 2,4,5-T to 2,4,5-TCP. We have determined the directions of transcription of these genes as well as the complete nucleotide sequences of the genes and the number and sizes of the polypeptides synthesized by pulse-labeling experiments. This 2.7-kb DNA fragment encodes two polypeptides with calculated molecular masses of 51 and 18 kDa. Proteins of similar sizes were seen in the T7 pulse-labeling experiment in Escherichia coli. We have designated the genes for these proteins tftA1 (which encodes the 51-kDa protein) and tftA2 (which encodes the 18-kDa protein). TftA1 and TftA2 have strong amino acid sequence homology to BenA and BenB from the benzoate 1,2-dioxygenase system of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, as well as to XylX and XylY from the toluate 1,2-dioxygenase system of Pseudomonas putida. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 strain containing the 2.7-kb SstI-XbaI fragment was able to convert not only 2,4,5-T to 2,4,5-TCP but also 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid to 2,4-dichlorophenol and phenoxyacetate to phenol.
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Affiliation(s)
- C E Danganan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago 60612
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