title: A sensitive method for rapid detection of alkyl halides and dehalogenase activity using a multistep enzyme assay.
abstract: A method for the detection of haloalkane conversion to the corresponding alcohols by haloalkane dehalogenases is described. It is based on a multistage enzyme reaction which allows for the analysis of alkyl halides in buffered systems. Irreversible hydrolytic dehalogenation catalyzed by haloalkane dehalogenase DhaA from Rhodococcus erythropolis transfers an alkyl halide into a corresponding alcohol that is further oxidized by alcohol oxidase AOX from Pichia pastoris yielding a respective aldehyde and hydrogen peroxide easily detectable via the horseradish peroxidase catalyzed oxidation of chromogenic molecules. Due to its high sensitivity (0.025 mM, 0.43 ppm for 1,3-dibromopropane), low expenditure and the ability of handling a large number of samples in parallel, this method is an attractive alternative to existing procedures for the monitoring of both haloalkanes and dehalogenases.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Petersenstrasse 22, D-64287, Darmstadt, Germany. Kolmar@Biochemie-TUD.de.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fabritz
authors.forename: Franziska
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maaß
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Avrutina
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Heiseler
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Steinmann
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kolmar