Degradation of low molecular weight volatile organic compounds by plants genetically modified with mammalian cytochrome P450 2E1.
Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) is a key enzyme in the mammalian metabolism of several low molecular weight volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as trichloroethylene (TCE), vinyl chloride (VC), carbon tetrachloride (CT), benzene, chloroform, and bromodichloromethane (BDCM), which are all common environmental pollutants that pose risks to human health. We have developed a transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthii) that expresses CYP2E1 with increased activity toward TCE and ethylene dibromide. In experiments with tobacco plant cuttings exposed to VOCs in small hydroponic vessels, the transgenic tobacco had greatly increased rates of removal of TCE, VC, CT, benzene, toluene, chloroform, and BDCM, compared to wild-type or vector control tobacco, but not of perchloroethylene or 1,1,1-trichloroethane.
James
C Andrew
CA
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and College of Forest Resources, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
Xin
Gang
G
Doty
Sharon L
SL
Strand
Stuart E
SE
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019392:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000378:metabolism*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000378:metabolism*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014835:Volatilization
D006838:Hydrocarbons; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D019392:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1