The Properties of 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase (MetF1) and Its Role in the Tetrahydrofolate-Dependent Dicamba Demethylation System in Rhizorhabdus dicambivorans Ndbn-20

Abstract

There are several THF-dependent methyltransferase genes and THF-metabolic genes in the genome of R. dicambivorans Ndbn-20; however, which genes are involved in dicamba demethylation and the mechanism underlying THF regeneration remain unknown. This study revealed that scaffold 66 is responsible for dicamba demethylation and that MetF1 physiologically catalyzes the dehydrogenation of 5-CH 3 -THF to 5,10-CH 2 -THF in the THF-dependent dicamba demethylation system in R. dicambivorans Ndbn-20. Furthermore, the results showed that MetF1 differs from previously characterized MetF in phylogenesis, biochemical properties, and catalytic activity; e.g., MetF1 in vitro did not show 5,10-CH 2 -THF reductase activity, which is the physiological function of Escherichia coli MetF. This study provides new insights into the mechanism of the THF-dependent methyltransferase system.