Studies on the Pathway and Enzymes Involved in the Degradation of Dibenzofuran by Novosphingobium pentaromativorans US6-1

Abstract

Novosphingobium pentaromativorans US6-1 is a marine bacterium that was isolated from muddy sediments of Ulsan Bay, Korea and could utilize high-molecular-weight PAHs as a sole carbon and energy source. Degradation of dibenzofuran (DBF) by strain US6-1 was compared with Sphingomonas wittichii RW1 - known as the outstanding DBF-degrading bacterium - faster than that by strain RW1. Phylogenetic analysis of α-submits of the aromatic ring hydrogenase of the strains US6-1 and RW1 with other strains revealed that genes of the strain US6-1 were differentially clustered from those of strain RW1 which degrade DBF via angular dioxygenation process. Degradation of DBF by strain US6-1 was monitored with fluorescence spectrometer and metabolic intermediates were analyzed by GC-MS and LC-MS. As a result, 3(2H)-benzofuranone was detected and this implied that degradation of DBF by strain US6-1 was started with lateral dioxygenation process.train US6-1 was compared with Sphingomonas wittichii RW1 - known as the outstanding DBF-degrading bacterium - faster than that by strain RW1. Phylogenetic analysis of α-submits of the aromatic ring hydrogenase of the strains US6-1 and RW1 with other strains revealed that genes of the strain US6-1 were differentially clustered from those of strain RW1 which degrade DBF via angular dioxygenation process. Degradation of DBF by strain US6-1 was monitored with fluorescence spectrometer and metabolic intermediates were analyzed by GC-MS and LC-MS. As a result, 3(2H)-benzofuranone was detected and this implied that degradation of DBF by strain US6-1 was started with lateral dioxygenation process.