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Molecular genetics and evolutionary relationship of PCB-degrading bacteria

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Abstract

Biphenyl-utilizing soil bacteria are ubiquitously distributed in the natural environment. They cometabolize a variety of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners to chlorobenzoic acids through a 2,3-dioxygenase pathway, or alternatively through a 3,4-dioxygenase system. Thebph genes coding for the metabolism of biphenyl have been cloned from several pseudomonads. The biochemistry and molecular genetics of PCB degradation are reviewed and discussed from the viewpoint of an evolutionary relationship.

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Abbreviations

BP:

biphenyl

bph :

BP/PCB-degradative gene

23DHBP:

2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl

HPDA:

2-hydroxy-6-oxo-6-phenylhexa 2,4-dienoic acid

KF707:

P. pseudoalcaligenes strain KF707

LB400:

Pseudomonas sp. strain LB400

PCB:

polychlorinated biphenyls

Q1:

P. paucimobilis strain Q1tod; toluene catabolic gene

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  1. Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Kyushu University, Hakozaki, 812, Fukuoka, Japan

    Kensuke Furukawa

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Furukawa, K. Molecular genetics and evolutionary relationship of PCB-degrading bacteria. Biodegradation 5, 289–300 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00696466

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