PLASMID-MEDIATED DEGRADATION OF O-PHTHALATE AND SALICYLATE BY A MORAXELLA SP

A Moraxella sp. strain VG45 capable of utilizing o-phthalate and salic ylate as a sole source of carbon and energy was isolated. The degradat ion of o-phthalate occurs via phthalate 4,5-dioxygenase, 4,5-dihydro-4 ,5-dihydroxyphthalate dehydrogenase, 4,5-dihydroxyphthalate decarboxyl ase and protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase. Salicylate is degraded via sa licylate 5-hydroxylase, gentisate 1,2-dioxygenase and then by a glutat hione-independent maleylpyruvate hydrolase. Further, a plasmid of app. 60 kilobase pairs (kb) is involved in the degradation of o-phthalate and salicylate and the enzymes of these two pathways are independently regulated in strain. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.