Toluene-degrading Antarctic Pseudomonas strains from fuel-contaminated soil.
Two psychrotolerant toluene-degrading Pseudomonas spp. were isolated from JP8 jet-fuel-contaminated soils, Scott Base, Antarctica. Isolates metabolized meta-toluate as sole carbon source at temperatures ranging from 6 to 30 degrees C. Large plasmids (>64kb) were isolated from both isolates. Sequence analysis of PCR products amplified using xylB (the gene encoding benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase) primers revealed that isolates 7/167 and 8/46 were 100% and 92% homologous, respectively, to the xylB gene of the meta-cleavage toluene degradative pathway encoded by the TOL plasmid (pWWO) of Pseudomonas putida mt-2. Assays of cell-free extracts of 7/167 and 8/46 demonstrated activity of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase, benzyl alcohol dehydrogenase, and benzaldehyde dehydrogenase, indicating that the isolates use the meta-cleavage pathway enzymes of toluene degradation typical of TOL type plasmids. As both isolates are able to grow at 6 degrees C ex situ it is feasible that they would be able to metabolize toluene in the Antarctic soils from where they were originally isolated.
Farrell
Roberta L
RL
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, New Zealand. r.farrell@waikato.ac.nz
Rhodes
Phillippa L
PL
Aislabie
Jackie
J
D000864:Antarctic Regions; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D005579:Fossil Fuels / Q000382:microbiology*; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism; D013045:Species Specificity; D013696:Temperature; D014050:Toluene / Q000378:metabolism*
D005579:Fossil Fuels; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014050:Toluene