title: Reductive transformation of parathion and methyl parathion by Bacillus sp.
abstract: Based on the results of phenotypic features, phylogenetic similarity of 16S rRNA gene sequences and BIOLOG test, a soil bacterium was identified as Bacillus sp. DM-1. Using either growing cells or a cell-free extract, it transformed parathion and methyl parathion to amino derivatives by reducing the nitro group. Pesticide transformation by a cell-free extract was specifically inhibited by three nitroreductase inhibitors, indicating the presence of nitroreductase activity. The nitroreductase activity was NAD(P)H-dependent, O(2)-insensitive, and exhibited the substrate specificity for parathion and methyl parathion. Reductive transformation significantly decreased the toxicity of pesticides.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects & Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Yulan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Yao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Xinmin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Chuanling
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Qiao
mesh_terms: D001407:Bacillus / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D008743:Methyl Parathion / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010278:Parathion / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008743:Methyl Parathion; D010278:Parathion