Biodegradation of cyclic amines by aPseudomonasstrain involves an amine mono-oxygenase

Abstract

Pseudomonas putida O1G3 catalyzes the degradation of pyrrolidine and piperidine. This strain can use these compounds as the sole source of carbon, nitrogen, and energy. When the cyclic amines were used as the growth substrates, the synthesis of a soluble heme amine mono-oxygenase was induced in this bacteria. This observation was confirmed by spectrophotometric analysis and specific inhibitor. This mono-oxygenase is a NADH-dependent enzyme and catalyzes the cleavage of the C—N bond of the pyrrolidine and piperidine ring by a mechanism similar to a N dealkylation. This reaction could be followed by ring cleavage to form γ-aminobutyraldehyde oxidized to γ-aminobutyrate. Further investigations to purify the heme-containing mono-oxygenase are in progress.Key words: biodegradation, Pseudomonas, pyrrolidine, piperidine, amine mono-oxygenase.