The phn Island: A New Genomic Island Encoding Catabolism of Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons.

ABSTRACT: Bacteria are key in the biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), which are widespread environmental pollutants. At least six genotypes of PAH degraders are distinguishable via phylogenies of the ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase (RHD) that initiates bacterial PAH metabolism. A given RHD genotype can be possessed by a variety of bacterial genera, suggesting horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is an important process for dissemination of PAH-degrading genes. But, mechanisms of HGT for most RHD genotypes are unknown. Here, we report in silico and functional analyses of the phenanthrene-degrading bacterium Delftia sp. Cs1-4, a representative of the phn(AFK2) RHD group. The phn(AFK2) genotype predominates PAH degrader communities in some soils and sediments, but, until now, their genom

SUBMITTER: Hickey WJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3318190 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature