Plasmid-mediated formaldehyde resistance in Escherichia coli: characterization of resistance gene.
The formaldehyde resistance mechanisms in the formaldehyde-resistant strain Escherichia coli VU3695 were investigated. A large (4.6-kb) plasmid DNA fragment encompassing the formaldehyde resistance gene was sequenced. A single 1,107-bp open reading frame encoding a glutathione- and NAD-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase was identified and sequenced, and the enzyme was expressed in an in vitro assay and purified. Amino acid sequence homology studies showed 62.4 to 63.2% identity with class III alcohol dehydrogenases isolated from horse, human, and rat livers. We demonstrated that the resistance mechanism in the formaldehyde-resistant strain E. coli VU3695 and in other formaldehyde-resistant members of the family Enterobacteriaceae is based on the enzymatic degradation of formaldehyde by a formaldehyde dehydrogenase.
Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Immunologie, Universitäts-Krankenhaus Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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D000445:Aldehyde Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics*; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005798:Genes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010957:Plasmids / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051381:Rats; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004202:Disinfectants; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005557:Formaldehyde; C020145:formaldehyde dehydrogenase (glutathione); D000445:Aldehyde Oxidoreductases