title: Mineralization and transformation of monofluorophenols by Pseudonocardia benzenivorans.
abstract: The aerobic metabolism of monofluorophenols (mono-FPs) by the actinomycete, Pseudonocardia benzenivorans, was studied. This strain was able to grow on 4-fluorophenol (4-FP) and readily transform 2- and 3-fluorophenol to the corresponding metabolites. The detailed mechanism of mono-FPs degradation by P. benzenivorans was elucidated from enzymatic assays and the identification of reaction intermediates by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Two types of fluorocatechols (i.e., 3- and 4-fluorocatechol) were identified as the key transformation products. During 4-FP degradation, only 4-fluorocatechol was detected, and a stoichiometric level of fluoride was released. Both fluorocatechols were observed together in cultures containing 3-fluorophenol (3-FP), while only 3-fluorocatechol was found to accumulate in 2-fluorophenol (2-FP)-containing cultures. Whole-cell extracts of P. benzenivorans expressed catechol 1,2-dioxygenase activity, indicating that the transformation of the three tested mono-FPs proceeded via ortho-cleavage pathway. The results presented in this paper provide comprehensive information regarding the metabolism of mono-FPs by a single bacterium.
authors.affiliation: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 790-784, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Ju
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jong-Rok
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Young-Mo
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kumarasamy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Murugesan
authors.forename: Yoon-Seok
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000192:Actinomycetales / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001711:Biotransformation; D010636:Phenols / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010636:Phenols