Genetic adaptation of bacteria to halogenated aliphatic compounds

Journal Article · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Environmental Health Perspectives

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3432474· OSTI ID:486409

Janssen, D B; Ploeg, J.R. van der; Pries, F ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Groningen (Netherlands)

The bacterial degradation and detoxification of chlorinated xenobiotic compounds requires the production of enzymes that are capable of recognizing and converting compounds which do not occur at significant concentrations in nature. We have studied the catabolic route of 1,2-dichloroethane as an example of a pathway for the conversion of such a synthetic compound. In strains of Xanthobacter and Ancylobacter that have been isolated on 1,2-dichloroethane, the first catabolic step is catalyzed by a hydrolytic haloalkane dehalogenase. The enzyme converts 1,2-dichloroethane to 2-chloroethanol but is also active with many other environmentally important haloalkanes such as methylchloride, methylbromide, 1,2-dibromoethane, epichlorohydrin, and 1,3-dichloropropene. Further degradation of 2-chloroethanol proceeds by oxidation to the carboxylic acid and dehalogenation to glycolate. The aldehyde dehydrogenase prevents toxicity of the reactive chloroacetaldehyde that is formed as an intermediate and is necessary for establishing a functional 2-chloroethanol degradative pathway in a strain that is not capable of growth on this compound. 27 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 486409
• Report Number(s): CONF-9304308--
• Journal Information: Environmental Health Perspectives, Journal Name: Environmental Health Perspectives Journal Issue: Suppl.5 Vol. 103; ISSN 0091-6765; ISSN EVHPAZ
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
BACTERIA
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
DECHLORINATION
DEHALOGENATION
ENZYME ACTIVITY
GROUND WATER
WATER POLLUTION