Epoxyalkane: Coenzyme M Transferase in the Ethene and Vinyl Chloride Biodegradation Pathways of Mycobacterium Strain JS60
Abstract
Mycobacterium strains that grow on ethene and vinyl chloride (VC) are widely distributed in the environment and are potentially useful for biocatalysis and bioremediation. The catabolic pathway of alkene assimilation in mycobacteria is not well characterized. It is clear that the initial step is a monooxygenase-mediated expoxidation that produces epoxyethane from ethene and chlorooxirane from VC, but the enzymes involved in subsequent transformation of the epoxides have not been identified. We investigated epoxyethane metabolism in Mycobacterium strain JS60 and discovered a coenzyme M (CoM)-dependent enzyme activity in extracts from VC- and ethene-grown cells. PCR amplifications using primers targeted at epoxyalkane:CoM tranferase (EaCoMT) genes yielded part of the JS60 EaCoMT gene, which was used to clone an 8.4-kb genomic NDA fragment. The complete EaCoMt gene (etnE) was recovered, along with genes (etnABCD) encoding a four-component monooxygenase and two genes possibly involved in acyl-CoA ester metabolism.... CoM-mediated reactions appear to be more widespread in bacteria than was previously believed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 03, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA426555
Entities
People
- Jim C. Spain
- Nicholas V. Coleman
Organizations
- University of Sydney