title: Characterization of a novel long-chain n-alkane-degrading strain, Dietzia sp. E1.
abstract: The newly isolated strain E1, identified as a Dietzia sp., proved to have an excellent ability to degrade n-C12 to n-C38 alkane components of crude oil. The preferred substrate was the very long-chain alkane n-eicosane at an optimal temperature of 37 degrees C and an optimal pH of 8 under aerobic conditions. The growth and substrate uptake kinetics were monitored during the n-alkane fermentation process, and Dietzia sp. E1 cells were found to possess three distinct levels of cell-surface hydrophobicity. Gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric analysis revealed that intracellular substrate mineralization occurred through the conversion of n-alkane to the corresponding n-alkanal. The monoterminal oxidation pathway was presumably initiated by AlkB and CYP153 terminal alkane hydroxylases, both of their partial coding sequences were successfully detected in the genome of strain E1, a novel member of the Dietzia genus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Microbiology, Institute for Biotechnology, Bay Zoltán Foundation for Applied Research, Derkovits fasor 2., H-6726 Szeged, Hungary. bihari@bay.u-szeged.hu
authors.forename: Zoltán
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bihari
authors.forename: Zsolt
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Szabó
authors.forename: Attila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szvetnik
authors.forename: Margit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Balázs
authors.forename: Péter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bartos
authors.forename: Péter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tolmacsov
authors.forename: Zoltán
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zombori
authors.forename: István
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kiss
mesh_terms: D039903:Actinobacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D000473:Alkanes / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D042926:Cytochrome P-450 CYP4A / Q000235:genetics; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
chemical_list: D000473:Alkanes; D042926:Cytochrome P-450 CYP4A