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Molecular biology of anaerobic aromatic biodegradation. Final report, 1 May 1995--31 March 1998

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:339664
Bacterial genes and enzymes encoding the biochemical pathways of anaerobic benzoate and 4-hydroxybenzoate degradation were identified and characterized. These pathways are important because their operation is essential for the complete degradation of many toxic compounds of environmental concern. Also, several of the enzymes of the pathways catalyze novel reactions that may be representative of general biochemical strategies for anaerobic attack on benzene rings. The authors sequenced a cluster of twenty-four genes from the bacterium, Rhodopseudomonas palustris. These include twelve genes likely to be involved in anaerobic benwate degradation and additional genes that convert the related compound 4-hydroxybenwate to benzoyl-coenzyme A. Physiological data and DNA sequence analyses indicate that the benzoate pathway consists of unusual enzymes for ring reduction and ring cleavage interposed among enzymes homologous to those catalyzing fatty acid degradation.
Research Organization:
Iowa Univ., Dept. of Microbiology, Iowa City, IA (United States)
OSTI ID:
339664
Report Number(s):
AD-A--357975/XAB; CNN: Contract DAAH04-95-1-0124
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English