title: Microbial metabolism of chlorosalicylates: accelerated evolution by natural genetic exchange.
abstract: Methylsalicylate-grown cells of Pseudomonas sp. WR401 cometabolized 3-, 4- and 5-substituted halosalicylates to the corresponding halocatechols. Further degradation was unproductive due to the presence of high levels of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase. This strain acquired the ability to utilize 3-chlorobenzoate following acquisition of genes from Pseudomonas sp. B13 which are necessary for the assimilation of chlorocatechols. This derivative (WR4011) was unable to use 4- or 5-chlorosalicylates. Derivatives able to use these compounds were obtained by plating WR4011 on 5-chlorosalicylate minimal medium; one such derivative was designated WR4016. The acquisition of this property was accompanied by concomitant loss of the methylsalicylate phenotype. During growth on 4- or 5-chlorosalicylate the typical enzymes of chlorocatechol assimilation were detected in cell free extracts, whereas catechol 2,3-dioxygenase activity was not induced. Repeated subcultivation of WR4016 in the presence of 3-chlorosalicylate produced variants (WR4016-1) which grew on all three isomers.
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D050557:Catechol 2,3-Dioxygenase; D002396:Catechols / Q000378:metabolism; D002713:Chlorine / Q000378:metabolism; D002723:Chlorobenzoates / Q000378:metabolism; D003227:Conjugation, Genetic; D049308:Dioxygenases; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D005815:Genetic Code; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010105:Oxygenases / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012459:Salicylates / Q000378:metabolism*; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D002396:Catechols; D002723:Chlorobenzoates; D012459:Salicylates; D002713:Chlorine; D010105:Oxygenases; D049308:Dioxygenases; D050557:Catechol 2,3-Dioxygenase; C015751:5-chlorosalicylic acid; C033069:methyl salicylate