TOLUENE 2-MONOOXYGENASE-DEPENDENT GROWTH OF BURKHOLDERIA-CEPACIA G4 PR1 ON DIETHYL-ETHER/

Aerobic bacterial growth on aromatic hydrocarbons typically requires o xygenase enzymes, which are known to fortuitously oxidize nongrowth su bstrates. In this study, we found that oxidation of diethyl ether by t oluene 2-monooxygenase supported more rapid growth of Burkholderia cep acia G4/PR1 than did the aromatic substrates n-propylbenzene and o-xyl ene. The wild-type Burkholderia cepacia G4 failed to grow on diethyl e ther. Purified toluene 2-monooxygenase protein components oxidized die thyl ether stoichiometrically to ethanol and acetaldehyde. Butyl methy l ether, diethyl sulfide, and 2-chloroethyl ethyl ether were oxidized by B. cepacia G4/PR1.