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Degradation pathways of phenanthrene by Sinorhizobium sp. C4

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Abstract

Sinorhizobium sp. C4 was isolated from a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-contaminated site in Hilo, HI, USA. This isolate can utilize phenanthrene as a sole carbon source. Sixteen metabolites of phenanthrene were isolated and identified, and the metabolic map was proposed. Degradation of phenanthrene was initiated by dioxygenation on 1,2- and 3,4-C, where the 3,4-dioxygenation was dominant. Subsequent accumulation of 5,6- and 7,8-benzocoumarins confirmed dioxygenation on multiple positions and extradiol cleavage of corresponding diols. The products were further transformed to 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthoic acid then to naphthalene-1,2-diol. In addition to the typical degradation pathways, intradiol cleavage of phenanthrene-3,4-diol was proposed based on the observation of naphthalene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid. Degradation of naphthalene-1,2-diol proceeded through intradiol cleavage to produce trans-2-carboxycinnamic acid. Phthalic acid, 4,5-dihydroxyphthalic acid, and protocatechuic acid were identified as probable metabolites of trans-2-carboxycinnamic acid, but no trace salicylic acid or its metabolites were found. This is the first detailed study of PAH metabolism by a Sinorhizobium species. The results give a new insight into microbial degradation of PAHs.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported in part by US-EPA award no. 989512-01-1 and USDA-TSTAR grants 0034135-9576, 2001-34135-11295, and 2002-34135-12724. We thank Michael Cripps of Hawaii Department of Health for his assistance on soil sample collection.

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  1. Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii, 1955 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA

    Young-Soo Keum, Jong-Su Seo, Yuting Hu & Qing X. Li

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  1. Young-Soo Keum
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  2. Jong-Su Seo
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  3. Yuting Hu
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  4. Qing X. Li
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Correspondence to Qing X. Li.

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Keum, YS., Seo, JS., Hu, Y. et al. Degradation pathways of phenanthrene by Sinorhizobium sp. C4. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 71, 935–941 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-005-0219-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-005-0219-z

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