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Cometabolism of 3,4-dichlorobenzoate by Acinetobacter sp. strain 4-CB1.

When Acinetobacter sp. strain 4-CB1 was grown on 4-chlorobenzoate (4-CB), it cometabolized 3,4-dichlorobenzoate (3,4-DCB) to 3-chloro-4-hydroxybenzoate (3-C-4-OHB), which could be used as a growth substrate. No cometabolism of 3,4-DCB was observed when Acinetobacter sp. strain 4-CB1 was grown on benzoate. 4-Carboxyl-1,2-benzoquinone was formed as an intermediate from 3,4-DCB and 3-C-4-OHB in aerobic and anaerobic resting-cell incubations and was the major transient intermediate found when cells were grown on 3-C-4-OHB. The first dechlorination step of 3,4-DCB was catalyzed by the 4-CB dehalogenase, while a soluble dehalogenase was responsible for dechlorination of 3-C-4-OHB. Both enzymes were inducible by the respective chlorinated substrates, as indicated by oxygen uptake experiments. The dehalogenase activity on 3-C-4-OHB, observed in crude cell extracts, was 109 and 44 nmol of 3-C-4-OHB min-1 mg of protein-1 under anaerobic and aerobic conditions, respectively. 3-Chloro-4-hydroxybenzoate served as a pseudosubstrate for the 4-hydroxybenzoate monooxygenase by effecting oxygen and NADH consumption without being hydroxylated. Contrary to 4-CB metabolism, the results suggest that 3-C-4-OHB was not metabolized via the protocatechuate pathway. Despite the ability of resting cells grown on 4-CB or 3-C-4-OHB to carry out all of the necessary steps for dehalogenation and catabolism of 3,4-DCB, it appeared that 3,4-DCB was unable to induce the necessary 4-CB dehalogenase for the initial p-dehalogenation step.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acinetobacter↗

Metabolism of both 4-chlorobenzoate and toluene under denitrifying conditions by a constructed bacterial strain.

T1, a dentrifying bacterium originally isolated for its ability to grow on toluene, can also metabolize 4-hydroxybenzoate and other aromatic compounds under denitrifying conditions. A cosmid clone carrying the three genes that code for the 4-chlorobenzoate dehalogenase enzyme complex isolated from the aerobic bacterium Pseudomonas sp. strain CBS3 was successfully conjugated into strain T1. The cloned enzyme complex catalyzes the hydrolytic dechlorination of 4-chlorobenzoate to 4-hydroxybenzoate. Since molecular oxygen is not required for the dehalogenation reaction, the transconjugate strain of T1 (T1-pUK45-10C) was able to grow on 4-chlorobenzoate in the absence of O2 under denitrifying conditions. 4-Chlorobenzoate was dehalogenated to 4-hydroxybenzoate, which was then further metabolized by strain T1. The dehalogenation and metabolism of 4-chlorobenzoate were nitrate dependent and were coupled to the production of nitrite and nitrogen gas. 4-Bromobenzoate was also degraded by this strain, while 4-iodobenzoate was not. Additionally, when T1-pUK45-10C was presented with a mixture of 4-chlorobenzoate and toluene, simultaneous degradation of the compounds was observed. These results illustrate that dechlorination and degradation of aromatic xenobiotics can be mediated by a pure culture in the absence of oxygen. Furthermore, it is possible to expand the range of xenobiotic substrates degradable by an organism, and it is possible that concurrent metabolism of these substrates can occur.

Anaerobiosis↗

Biotransformation of the major fungal metabolite 3,5-dichloro- p-anisyl alcohol under anaerobic conditions and its role in formation of Bis(3,5-dichloro-4-Hydroxyphenyl)methane.

Higher fungi have a widespread capacity for biosynthesis of organohalogens. Commonly occurring chloroaromatic fungal metabolites can end up in anaerobic microniches at the boundary of fungal colonies and wetland soils. The aim of this study was to investigate the environmental fate of a major fungal metabolite, 3, 5-dichloro-p-anisyl alcohol, under anaerobic conditions. This compound was incubated with methanogenic sludge to study its biotransformation reactions. Initially, 3,5-dichloro-p-anisyl alcohol was readily demethylated in stoichiometric quantities to 3, 5-dichloro-4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol. The demethylated product was converted further via two routes: a biotic route leading to the formation of 3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxybenzoate and 2,6-dichlorophenol, as well as an abiotic route leading to the formation of bis(3, 5-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)methane. In the first route, the benzyl alcohol moiety on the aromatic ring was oxidized, giving 3, 5-dichloro-4-hydroxybenzoate as a transient or accumulating product, depending on the type of methanogenic sludge used. In sludge previously adapted to low-molecular-weight lignin from straw, a part of the 3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxybenzoate was decarboxylated, yielding detectable levels of 2,6-dichlorophenol. In the second route, 3, 5-dichloro-4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol dimerized, leading to the formation of a tetrachlorinated bisphenolic compound, which was identified as bis(3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)methane. Since formation of this dimer was also observed in incubations with autoclaved sludge spiked with 3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, it was concluded that its formation was due to an abiotic process. However, demethylation of the fungal metabolite by biological processes was a prerequisite for dimerization. The most probable reaction mechanism leading to the formation of the tetrachlorinated dimer in the absence of oxygen is presented, and the possible environmental implications of its natural occurrence are discussed.

Anaerobiosis↗

Dehalogenation of the herbicides bromoxynil (3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile) and ioxynil (3,5-diiodino-4-hydroxybenzonitrile) by Desulfitobacterium chlororespirans.

Desulfitobacterium chlororespirans has been shown to grow by coupling the oxidation of lactate to the metabolic reductive dehalogenation of ortho chlorines on polysubstituted phenols. Here, we examine the ability of D. chlororespirans to debrominate and deiodinate the polysubstituted herbicides bromoxynil (3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile), ioxynil (3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile), and the bromoxynil metabolite 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzoate (DBHB). Stoichiometric debromination of bromoxynil to 4-cyanophenol and DBHB to 4-hydroxybenzoate occurred. Further, bromoxynil (35 to 75 microM) and DBHB (250 to 260 microM) were used as electron acceptors for growth. Doubling times for growth (means +/- standard deviations for triplicate cultures) on bromoxynil (18.4 +/- 5.2 h) and DBHB (11.9 +/- 1.4 h), determined by rate of [14C]lactate uptake into biomass, were similar to those previously reported for this microorganism during growth on pyruvate (15.4 h). In contrast, ioxynil was not deiodinated when added alone or when added with bromoxynil; however, ioxynil dehalogenation, with stoichiometric conversion to 4-cyanophenol, was observed when the culture was amended with 3-chloro-4-hydroxybenzoate (a previously reported electron acceptor). To our knowledge, this is the first direct report of deiodination by a bacterium in the Desulfitobacterium genus and the first report of an anaerobic pure culture with the ability to transform bromoxynil or ioxynil. This research provides valuable insights into the substrate range of D. chlororespirans.

Anaerobiosis↗

Oxygenation of 4-alkoxyl groups in alkoxybenzoic acids by Polyporus dichrous.

The degradation of several alkyl ethers of vanillic acid, of 3-ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and of syringic acid, by the lignin-decomposing fungus Polyporus dichrous included (i) 4-dealkylation (e.g., 3-ethoxy-4-isopropoxybenzoic acid was in part dealkylated to 3-ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acid), (ii) hydroxylation of the 4-alkoxyl groups (e.g., 3-ethoxy-4-isopropoxybenzoic acid was oxidized in part to 2-[4-carboxy-2-ethoxyphenoxy]-propane-1-ol), and (iii) reduction of carboxyl groups (older cultures) (e.g., 3-ethoxy-4-isopropoxybenzoic acid was reduced to 3-ethoxy-4-isopropoxybenzaldehyde and 3-ethoxy-4-isopropoxybenzyl alcohol). Some ethers (e.g., tri-O-methyl gallic acid and glycerol-beta-[4-carboxy-2-ethoxyphenyl]-ether) were not affected. The dealkylations and hydroxylations indicate that the fungus has a relatively nonspecific mechanism for oxygenating various 4-alkoxyl groups of alkoxybenzoic acids; no evidence for oxygenation of 3-alkoxyl groups was obtained. Hydroxylation products were generally degraded further, probably via dealkylation. The vanillic acid and 3-ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acid formed by dealkylations were readily metabolized. Although the isopropyl ether of syringic acid was hydroxylated to 2-(4-carboxy-2, 6-dimethoxyphenoxy)-propane-1-ol, neither this compound nor the parent isopropyl ether was dealkylated; syringic acid itself was only slowly and incompletely metabolized. The relationship of these results to lignin degradation is discussed.

Basidiomycota↗

Regulation of phenylalanine ammonia lyase in Rhodotorula glutinis.

In the red yeast Rhodotorula glutinis, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) was induced 10-fold during carbon starvation even in the absence of exogenous phenylalanine, although maximal induction occurred when phenylalanine was the nitrogen (40-fold) or carbon (100-fold) source. Apparent regulatory mutations that affected the expression of PAL were isolated by selecting mutants resistant to the analog p-fluoro-D,L-phenylalanine (PFP). One such mutant, designated FP1, could use phenylalanine as a nitrogen source but not as a carbon source. Similarly, FP1 failed to utilize intermediates of the phenylalanine degradative pathway, namely, benzoate, p-hydroxybenzoate, or 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate, as carbon sources. Although the PFP-resistant mutant contained a low level of PAL, no increase was found when it was grown with phenylalanine as the nitrogen source. A derivative of FP1, FP1a, was isolated that simultaneously regained an inducible PAL and the ability to use phenylalanine, benzoate, p-hydroxybenzoate, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate as carbon sources. In addition, when p-hydroxybenzoate was the carbon source, PAL was induced in the mutant FP1a but not in the PFP-sensitive parental strain. We propose that the mutation to PFP resistance occurred in a regulatory gene that controls the entire phenylalanine degradative pathway. Secondary mutations at this locus, as found in strain FP1a, not only restored expression of this pathway, but also altered the induction of PAL by metabolites of this pathway.

Ammonia-Lyases↗

Cloning, expression, and regulation of the Pseudomonas cepacia protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase genes.

The genes for the alpha and beta subunits of the enzyme protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase (EC 1.13.11.3) were cloned from the Pseudomonas cepacia DBO1 chromosome on a 9.5-kilobase-pair PstI fragment into the broad-host-range cloning vector pRO2317. The resultant clone was able to complement protocatechuate 3,4-dioxugenase mutations in P. cepacia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Pseudomonas putida. Expression studies showed that the genes were constitutively expressed and subject to catabolite repression in the heterologous host. Since the cloned genes exhibited normal induction patterns when present in P. cepacia DBO1, it was concluded that induction was subject to negative control. Regulatory studies with P. cepacia wild-type and mutant strains showed that protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase is induced either by protocatechuate or by beta-carboxymuconate. Further studies of P. cepacia DBO1 showed that p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase (EC 1.14.13.2), the preceding enzyme in the pathway, is induced by p-hydroxybenzoate and that beta-carboxymuconate lactonizing enzyme, which catalyzes the reaction following protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase, is induced by both p-hydroxybenzoate and beta-ketoadipate.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Carboxylation of phenylphosphate by phenol carboxylase, an enzyme system of anaerobic phenol metabolism.

Several lines of evidence indicate that the first step in the anaerobic metabolism of phenol is phenol carboxylation to 4-hydroxybenzoate; this reaction is considered a biological Kolbe-Schmitt carboxylation. A phenol carboxylase system was characterized by using a denitrifying Pseudomonas strain, K 172, which catalyzes an isotope exchange between 14CO2 and the carboxyl group of 4-hydroxybenzoate. The enzymatic isotope exchange activity (100 nmol min-1 mg-1 of protein) requires Mn2+ and K+. We show that this system also catalyzes the carboxylation of phenylphosphate (the phosphoric acid monophenyl ester) to 4-hydroxybenzoate and phosphate. The specific activity of phenylphosphate carboxylation at the optimal pH of 6.5 is 12 nmol of CO2 fixed min-1 mg-1 of protein. Phenylphosphate cannot be replaced by Mg(2+)-ATP and phenol. The carboxylase activity requires Mn2+ but, in contrast to the isotope exchange activity, does not require K+. The apparent Km values are 1.5 mM dissolved CO2 and 0.2 mM phenylphosphate. Several convenient assays for phenylophosphate carboxylation are described. The isotope exchange reaction and the net carboxylation reaction are catalyzed by the same oxygen-sensitive enzyme, which has a half-life in an air-saturated solution of less than 1 min. Both activities cochromatographed with a protein with a Mr of 280,000, and both activities were induced only after anaerobic growth on phenol. The carboxylation of phenylphosphate suggests that phenylphosphate itself is the physiological CO2 acceptor molecular of this novel CO2 fixation reaction. Alternatively, phenylphosphate could simulate the unknown natural precursor. It is suggested that the formation of an enzyme-bound phenolate anion from the activated phenolic compound is the rate-determining step in the carboxylation reaction.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

NADPH-dependent reductive ortho dehalogenation of 2,4-dichlorobenzoic acid in Corynebacterium sepedonicum KZ-4 and Coryneform bacterium strainNTB-1 via 2,4-dichlorobenzoyl coenzyme A.

Corynebacterium sepedonicum KZ-4, described earlier as a strain capable of growth on 2,4-dichlorobenzoate (G.M. Zaitsev and Y.N. Karasevich, Mikrobiologiya 54:356-369, 1985), is known to metabolize this substrate via 4-hydroxybenzoate and protocatechuate, and evidence consistent with an initial reductive dechlorination step to form 4-chlorobenzoate was found in another coryneform bacterium, strain NTB-1 (W.J.J. van den Tweel, J.B. Kok, and J.A.M. de Bont, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 53:810-815, 1987). 2-Chloro-4-fluorobenzoate was found to be converted stoichiometrically to 4-fluorobenzoate by resting cells of strain KZ-4, compatible with a reductive process. Experiments with cell extracts demonstrated that Mg - ATP and coenzyme A (CoA) were required to stimulate reductive dehalogenation, consistent with the intermediacy of 2-chloro-4-fluoro-benzoyl-CoA and 2,4-dichlorobenzoyl-CoA thioesters. 2,4-Dichlorobenzoyl-CoA was shown to be converted to 4-chlorobenzoyl-CoA in a novel NADPH-dependent reaction in extracts of both KZ-4 and NTB-1. In addition to the ligase and reductive dehalogenase activities, hydrolytic 4-chlorobenzoyl-CoA dehalogenase and thioesterase activities, 4-hydroxybenzoate 3-monooxygenase, and protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase activities were demonstrated to be present in the soluble fraction of KZ-4 extracts following ultracentrifugation. We propose that the pathway for 2,4-dichlorobenzoate catabolism in strains KZ-4 and NTB-1 involves formation of 2,4-dichlorobenzoyl-CoA, NADPH-dependent ortho dehalogenation yielding 4-chlorobenzoyl-CoA, hydrolytic removal of chlorine from the para position to generate 4-hydroxybenzoyl-CoA, hydrolysis to form 4-hydroxybenzoate, oxidation to yield protocatechuate, and oxidative ring cleavage.

Alcaligenes↗

Genes involved in anaerobic metabolism of phenol in the bacterium Thauera aromatica.

Genes involved in the anaerobic metabolism of phenol in the denitrifying bacterium Thauera aromatica have been studied. The first two committed steps in this metabolism appear to be phosphorylation of phenol to phenylphosphate by an unknown phosphoryl donor ("phenylphosphate synthase") and subsequent carboxylation of phenylphosphate to 4-hydroxybenzoate under release of phosphate ("phenylphosphate carboxylase"). Both enzyme activities are strictly phenol induced. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis allowed identification of several phenol-induced proteins. Based on N-terminal and internal amino acid sequences of such proteins, degenerate oligonucleotides were designed to identify the corresponding genes. A chromosomal DNA segment of about 14 kbp was sequenced which contained 10 genes transcribed in the same direction. These are organized in two adjacent gene clusters and include the genes coding for five identified phenol-induced proteins. Comparison with sequences in the databases revealed the following similarities: the gene products of two open reading frames (ORFs) are each similar to either the central part and N-terminal part of phosphoenolpyruvate synthases. We propose that these ORFs are components of the phenylphosphate synthase system. Three ORFs showed similarity to the ubiD gene product, 3-octaprenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate carboxy lyase; UbiD catalyzes the decarboxylation of a 4-hydroxybenzoate analogue in ubiquinone biosynthesis. Another ORF was similar to the ubiX gene product, an isoenzyme of UbiD. We propose that (some of) these four proteins are involved in the carboxylation of phenylphosphate. A 700-bp PCR product derived from one of these ORFs cross-hybridized with DNA from different Thauera and Azoarcus strains, even from those which have not been reported to grow with phenol. One ORF showed similarity to the mutT gene product, and three ORFs showed no strong similarities to sequences in the databases. Upstream of the first gene cluster, an ORF which is transcribed in the opposite direction codes for a protein highly similar to the DmpR regulatory protein of Pseudomonas putida. DmpR controls transcription of the genes of aerobic phenol metabolism, suggesting a similar regulation of anaerobic phenol metabolism by the putative regulator.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Paraben transport and metabolism in the biomimetic artificial membrane permeability assay (BAMPA) and 3-day and 21-day Caco-2 cell systems.

Noncellular and cellular in vitro models for predicting intestinal absorption were used to investigate the transport and metabolism of parabens. The biomimetic artificial membrane permeability assay (BAMPA) membrane was constructed by impregnating a lipid solution on a hydrophobic filter. Caco-2 cells at passage numbers 65 to 80 were cultured in either the accelerated 3-day Biocoat system or the standard 21-day Transwell cell culture system. Paraben transport across the BAMPA system showed a parabolic relationship. The lowest log P (p-hydroxybenzoic acid) and highest log P compounds (heptyl and octyl parabens) had apparent permeabilities (Papp) less than 1.0 x 10(-6) cm/s and Papp was maximal at approximately 8.5 x 10(-6)cm/s for the intermediate log P (ethylparaben) compound. With the Biocoat, a similar parabolic relationship was found. In the 21-day Caco-2 cells, the parabens were metabolized by esterases at to p-hydroxybenzoic acid. In conclusion, the in vitro models added complementary insight into the absorption process, such as the transport route, intrinsic permeability, and extent of metabolism of the parabens. This study indicated that presystemic metabolism of orally ingested parabens to the p-hydroxybenzoic acid in the intestine may limit systemic exposure to alkyl-paraben esters in vivo.

Biological Transport↗

Ferroverdins, inhibitors of cholesteryl ester transfer protein produced by Streptomyces sp. WK-5344. II. Structure elucidation.

The structures of ferroverdins B and C, novel inhibitors of cholesteryl ester transfer protein, were elucidated by spectroscopic studies including various NMR measurements. They are the complex between one Fe2+ and three ligands, that is, two common p-vinylphenyl-3-nitroso-4-hydroxybenzoates and one hydroxy p-vinylphenyl-3-nitroso-4-hydroxybenzoate for ferroverdin B and one carboxylic acid p-vinylphenyl-3-nitroso-4-hydroxybenzoate for ferroverdin C.

Carrier Proteins↗

Ubiquinone. Biosynthesis of quinone ring and its isoprenoid side chain. Intracellular localization.

Ubiquinone, known as coenzyme Q, was shown to be the part of the metabolic pathways by Crane et al. in 1957. Its function as a component of the mitochondrial respiratory chain is well established. However, ubiquinone has recently attracted increasing attention with regard to its function, in the reduced form, as an antioxidant. In ubiquinone synthesis the para-hydroxybenzoate ring (which is the derivative of tyrosine or phenylalanine) is condensed with a hydrophobic polyisoprenoid side chain, whose length varies from 6 to 10 isoprene units depending on the organism. para-Hydroxybenzoate (PHB) polyprenyltransferase that catalyzes the condensation of PHB with polyprenyl diphosphate has a broad substrate specificity. Most of the genes encoding (all-E)-prenyltransferases which synthesize polyisoprenoid chains, have been cloned. Their structure is either homo- or heterodimeric. Genes that encode prenyltransferases catalysing the transfer of the isoprenoid chain to para-hydroxybenzoate were also cloned in bacteria and yeast. To form ubiquinone, prenylated PHB undergoes several modifications such as hydroxylations, O-methylations, methylations and decarboxylation. In eukaryotes ubiquinones were found in the inner mitochondrial membrane and in other membranes such as the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi vesicles, lysosomes and peroxisomes. Still, the subcellular site of their biosynthesis remains unclear. Considering the diversity of functions of ubiquinones, and their multistep biosynthesis, identification of factors regulating their cellular level remains an elusive task.

Alkyl and Aryl Transferases↗

Salting coefficients of carboxylic acids in various saline media.

Reported partition coefficients and solubility data at 25 degrees C were used to determine the salting coefficients of acetic, benzoic, o-chlorobenzoic, m-chlorobenzoic, p-chlorobenzoic, o-hydroxybenzoic, m-hydroxybenzoic and p-hydroxybenzoic acids in various saline media. Coefficients were calculated on the molarity and molality scales. Except for acetic acid, which exhibited a negative coefficient in two of the 29 electrolytes used, all the acids were found to have positive values in the studied media. Consequently, the presence of a salt decreases the solubility of these acids.

Carboxylic Acids↗

High-pressure liquid chromatographic separation of 10 benzo(a)pyrene phenols and the identification of 1-phenol and 7-phenol as new metabolites.

The separation of ten isomeric benzo(a)pyrene phenols has been accomplished by the use of high-pressure liquid chromatography utilizing a newly developed recycling technique and new column and solvent systems. Using this new system and comparing the metabolites obtained with authentic standards, we have isolated 1-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene and 7-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene and identified them as metabolites formed by rat liver microsomes. In previously reported chromatography systems, the new metabolites migrated with another metabolite, 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene.

Animals↗

Regioselectivity of rat liver microsomal UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities toward phenols of benzo(a)pyrene and dibenz(a,h)anthracene.

Inducibility of rat liver microsomal UDP-glucuronosyltransferase was investigated with regard to the substrate structure using 3-, 6-, 7-, 8-, and 9-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene, all seven phenols of dibenz(a,h)anthracene, 3-hydroxybenz(a)anthracene, and 3-hydroxyfluoranthene as substrates. Glucuronide formation of the majority of the planar phenols was preferentially inducible by 3-methylcholanthrene (4- to 8-fold, group 1). However, glucuronidation of 8-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene, 3-hydroxybenz(a)anthracene, and 3-hydroxydibenz(a,h)anthracene was markedly inducible by phenobarbital (3- to 8-fold, group 2). Glucuronidation of 9-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene and 3-hydroxyfluoranthene was only moderately induced by the two inducers (less than 2-fold, group 3). Glucuronidation was also determined with purified phenol UDP-glucuronosyltransferase from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats. A close correlation (r = 0.95) was observed between purification factors (ratio of enzyme activities in purified enzyme and microsomes) and induction factors (ratio of microsomal enzyme activities from 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats and untreated controls). Interestingly, differences in size and shape of group 1 and 2 substrates could be recognized. Group 1 substrates were shorter (less than 1.3 nm) and broader (greater than 1.1 nm) than group 2 substrates when viewed from the hydroxy group, along the axis of the C-O bond, to the plane of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, suggesting a distinct geometry of the binding site of the 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible phenol UDP-glucuronosyltransferase.

Animals↗

[Regulation of terephthalate catabolism in Rhodococcus rubropertinctus].

The regulation of terephthalate catabolism was studied in Rhodococcus rubropertinctus which decomposed this synthetic monomer. The pathway (a) of terephthalate (TP) catabolism is as follows: TP----benzoate----4-hydroxybenzoate----protocatechuate----pyrocatechol-- --cycle ortho-cleavage. The following results were obtained when studying why two other catabolic pathways were realized if benzoate and 4-hydroxybenzoate were taken as a sole carbon source, namely, (b) benzoate----pyrocatechol----cycle cleavage and (c) 4-hydroxybenzoate----protocatechuate----cycle cleavage. TP seemed to cause the divergence of pathways (a) and (b) by repressing the system of benzoate oxidation to pyrocatechol. In pathway (c), benzoate repressed the synthesis of enzymes which catalysed protocatechuate oxidation. Pathway (b) was switched over to (a) when the strain was grown in a medium containing TP and benzoate at a benzoate concentration above 5 mM. Here, the concentration of benzoate (first exogenous and later formed from TP) played a key role. R. rubropertinctus growth in a medium with TP and glucose had diauxic characteristics.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Benzo(a)pyrene metabolism in primary cultures of mouse epidermal cells and untransformed and transformed epidermal cell lines.

The metabolism of [3H]benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] by cultures of primary mouse epidermal cells and untransformed and transformed epidermal cell lines was investigated. All three cell types effectively metabolized [3H]B(a)P. The major organic solvent-extractable metabolites found intracellularly in primary cultures were trans-7,8-dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene and 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene, although quantities of 9-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene, trans-9,10-dihydro-9,10-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene, and quinones also were present. The major organic solvent-soluble metabolites found in the extracellular medium were trans-9,10-dihydro-9,10-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene and trans-7,8-dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene, with smaller quantities of unconjugated phenols and quinones. The major water-soluble metabolites found in the extracellular medium were conjugated with glucuronic acid [primarily 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene and several quinones]. No sulfate conjugates of [3H]B(a)P metabolites were detected. [3H]B(a)P metabolism was similar in cultures of untransformed and transformed epidermal cell lines but differed from the primary cultures. The major intracellular and extracellular organic solvent-soluble metabolites were diols. Little or no unconjugated phenols were detected. Both the untransformed and transformed epidermal cell lines converted [3H]B(a)P to water-soluble metabolites, primarily glucuronide conjugates. In contrast to the primary cells, a major pathway of trans-7,8-dihydro-7,8-dihydroxybenzo(a)pyrene metabolism in the untransformed and transformed cell lines was a glucuronide conjugate. Primary mouse epidermal cells provide an important model system for studying factors affecting the activation and detoxification of hydrocarbon carcinogens.

Animals↗