Involvement of Linear Plasmids in Aerobic Biodegradation of Vinyl Chloride

Journal Article · Mon Jun 14 04:00:00 EDT 2004 · Applied Environmental Microbiology

OSTI ID:828568

BRIGMON, ROBINL

Pseudomonas putida strain AJ and Ochrobactrum strain TD were isolated from hazardous waste sites based on their ability to use vinyl chloride (VC) as a sole source of carbon and energy under aerobic conditions. Strains AJ and TD also use ethene and ethylene oxide as growth substrates. Strain AJ contained a linear megaplasmid (approximately 260 kb) when grown on VC or ethene, but no circular plasmids. While growing on ethylene oxide, the size of the linear plasmid in strain AJ decreased to approximately 100 kb, although its ability to use VC as a substrate was retained. The linear plasmids in strain AJ were cured and its ability to consume VC, ethene, and ethylene oxide was lost following growth on a rich substrate (Luria-Bertani broth) through at least three transfers. Strain TD contained three linear plasmids, ranging in size from approximately 100 kb to 320 kb, when growing on VC or ethene. As with strain AJ, the linear plasmids in strain TD were cured following growth on Luria -Bertani broth and its ability to consume VC and ethene was lost. Further analysis of these linear plasmids may help reveal the pathway for VC biodegradation in strains AJ and TD and explain why this process occurs at many but not all sites where groundwater is contaminated with chloroethenes. Metabolism of VC and ethene by strains AJ and TD is initiated by an alkene monooxygenase. Their yields during growth on VC (0.15-0.20 mg total suspended solids per mg VC) are similar to the yields reported for other isolates i.e., Mycobacterium sp., Nocardioides sp., and Pseudomonas sp.

• Research Organization: Savannah River Site (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-96SR18500
• OSTI ID: 828568
• Report Number(s): WSRC-MS-2003-00894
• Journal Information: Applied Environmental Microbiology, Journal Name: Applied Environmental Microbiology
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROBIC CONDITIONS
ALKENES
BIODEGRADATION
BIOREMEDIATION
CARBON
ETHYLENE
GROUNDWATER
METABOLISM
MYCOBACTERIUM
OXIDES
PLASMIDS
PSEUDOMONAS
STRAINS
SUBSTRATES
VINYL CHLORIDE
WASTES