Microbial dioxygenase gene population shifts during polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon biodegradation.

ABSTRACT: The degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by bacteria has been widely studied. While many pure cultures have been isolated and characterized for their ability to grow on PAHs, limited information is available on the diversity of microbes involved in PAH degradation in the environment. We have designed generic PCR primers targeting the gene fragment encoding the Rieske iron sulfur center common to all PAH dioxygenase enzymes. These Rieske primers were employed to track dioxygenase gene population shifts in soil enrichment cultures following exposure to naphthalene, phenanthrene, or pyrene. PAH degradation was monitored by gas chromatograph with flame ionization detection. DNA was extracted from the enrichment cultures following PAH degradation. 16S rRNA and Rieske gene frag

SUBMITTER: Ni Chadhain SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1489606 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature