Isolation and genetic analysis of mutations allowing the degradation of furans and thiophenes by Escherichia coli

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · J. Bacteriol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6470100

Abdulrashid, N; Clark, D P

Successive mutations of Escherichia coli yielded a strain that was able to degrade a variety of heterocyclic oxygen- and sulfur-containing ring compounds. In particular, this strain could use both furan-2-carboxylic acid and thiophene-2-carboxylic acid as sole carbon and energy sources. Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds were not degraded. This mutant was isolated by selecting first for oxidation of furan derivatives and then for thiphene degradation. Genetic analysis revealed that mutations in three novel genes, thdA (12 min), thdC (92 min), and thdD (98 min), were required for thiphene degradation. In addition, constitutively at both of the previously characterized fadR and atoC loci was required for efficient thiophene breakdown. The pathway of furan and thiophene degradation remains obscure, but the inability of the mutants to degrade 5-nitro or 5-bromo-substituted furan derivatives suggests that hydroxylation at position 5 may be involved. Thiophene derivatives were toxic when they were present at concentrations of 0.1% or greater; however, addition of trace amounts of phenylalanine plus tyrosine greatly reduced this effect.

• Research Organization: Southern Illinois Univ., Carbondale
• DOE Contract Number: FC22-83FE60339
• OSTI ID: 6470100
• Journal Information: J. Bacteriol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Bacteriol.; (United States) Vol. 169:3; ISSN JOBAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550400* -- Genetics
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BACTERIA
BIODEGRADATION
BIOLOGICAL PATHWAYS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ESCHERICHIA COLI
FURANS
GENETIC ENGINEERING
GENETIC MAPPING
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
MAPPING
MICROORGANISMS
MUTATIONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
THIOPHENE