A novel luciferin 4-monooxygenase from Galleria mellonella larval gut drives rapid low-density polyethylene biodegradation

ABSTRACT: Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue, with polyethylene (PE) the most widespread and persistent contaminant. Galleria mellonella (G. mellonella) has been identified as one of the most suitable insect species for the efficient consumption and degradation of PE; However, the gut microbiota and endogenous factors of G. mellonella contribute to efficient degradation of PE remain unclear. Here our metagenomic analyses revealed that the gut microbial diversity of larvae fed low-density polyethylene (LDPE) remained stable and showed no significant difference from that of the control group, indicating limited community restructuring during LDPE digestion. Proteomic and metabolomic profiling revealed elevated expression of redox-related proteins, accumulation of LDPE oxidative products, and a substantial amount of short-chain fatty acids that could be utilized by G. mellonella via metabolic pathways such as the TCA cycle. Strikingly, the oxidoreductase (luciferin 4-monooxygenase) consistently emerged as the most significantly differentially expressed protein in comparisons of LDPE-fed larvae against both the initial control and the beeswax groups, and it was predicted to exhibit strong binding affinity for long-chain alkenes. A key gut microbe, Brevibacillus parabrevis strain B3, exhibited the highest activity in LDPE degradation. Importantly, in vitro assays demonstrated that the combination of luciferin 4-monooxygenase and Brevibacillus parabrevis strain B3 synergistically enhanced LDPE degradation efficiency-far surpassing enzyme or bacterial treatments alone. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed significant oxidative surface modifications, including hydroxyl and carbonyl group formation, under combined treatment. These results suggest that Gm-luciferin 4-monooxygenase likely acts as the principal driver of LDPE degradation in G. mellonella, with other oxidoreductases and gut bacteria providing auxiliary support. Our findings elucidate the enzymatic and microbial synergy underlying wax worm-mediated LDPE biodegradation and offer promising targets for developing bio-inspired plastic waste remediation technologies.

INSTRUMENT(S): Liquid Chromatography MS - negative - reverse-phase, Liquid Chromatography MS - positive - reverse-phase

PROVIDER: MTBLS14246 | MetaboLights | 2026-04-11

REPOSITORIES: MetaboLights