Identification and Characterization of Genes Involved in the Downstream Degradation Pathway of γ-Hexachlorocyclohexane in Sphingomonas paucimobilis UT26

Abstract

ABSTRACT Sphingomonas paucimobilis UT26 utilizes γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH) as a sole source of carbon and energy. In our previous study, we cloned and characterized genes that are involved in the conversion of γ-HCH to maleylacetate (MA) via chlorohydroquinone (CHQ) in UT26. In this study, we identified and characterized an MA reductase gene, designated linF , that is essential for the utilization of γ-HCH in UT26. A gene named linEb , whose deduced product showed significant identity to LinE (53%), was located close to linF . LinE is a novel type of ring cleavage dioxygenase that catalyzes the conversion of CHQ to MA. LinEb expressed in Escherichia coli transformed CHQ and 2,6-dichlorohydroquinone to MA and 2-chloromaleylacetate, respectively. Our previous and present results indicate that UT26 (i) has two gene clusters for degradation of chlorinated aromatic compounds via hydroquinone-type intermediates and (ii) uses at least parts of both clusters for γ-HCH utilization.