Transfer and expression of mesophilic plasmic-mediated degradative capacity in a psychrotrophic bacterium
A psychrotrophic bacterium, originally isolated from a natural aquatic environment, was characterized and identified as Pseudomonas putida Q5 for use as a representative recipient for biodegradative genes from a mesophilic microorganism. The TOL plasmid pWWO of the mesophile P. putida PaW1 was successfully transferred by conjugation to the naturally isolated psychrotroph P. putida Q5, as shown by plasmid analysis by agarose gel electrophoresis. Expression of the genes encoded by the mesophilic TOL plasmid in the psychrotroph was shown by the fact that the transconjugant (designated P. putida Q5T) had the capacity to degrade and utilize toluate (1000 mg/liter) as a sole source of carbon at temperatures as low as 0/sup 0/C. Comparison of growth rates over a wide temperature range (0 to 30/sup 0/C) indicated that the physiological activity of the transconjugant was not reduced and that the plasmid DNA from the mesophile and its encoded enzymes functioned effectively in the psychrotroph at temperatures well below those at which the mesophile could grow. The production and demonstrated functioning of P. putida Q5T illustrates the possibility of developing specific degradative capacities in bacteria which can readily function at low temperatures in chemically contaminated environments or in industrial waste water treatment systems.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Waterloo, Ontario (Canada)
- OSTI ID:
- 7192375
- Journal Information:
- Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Vol. 54:3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Combination of the tod and the tol pathways in redesigning a metabolic route of Pseudomonas putida for the mineralization of a benzene, toluene, and p-xylene mixture
Metabolic engineering of Pseudomonas putida for the simultaneous biodegradation of benzene, toluene, and p-xylene mixture
Related Subjects
PSEUDOMONAS
GENETIC ENGINEERING
TOLUENE
BIODEGRADATION
MESOPHILIC CONDITIONS
PLASMIDS
USES
WATER POLLUTION
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
AROMATICS
BACTERIA
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
HYDROCARBONS
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)