GENE ORGANIZATION AND LOW REGIOSPECIFICITY IN AROMATIC-RING HYDROXYLATION OF A BENZENE MONOOXYGENASE OF PSEUDOMONAS-AERUGINOSA JI104

A novel benzene monooxygenase gene cluster has been cloned from Pseudo monas aeruginosa J104 which was isolated from soil as a benzene degrad er. The nucleotide sequence of this gene cluster was found to be highl y homologous to those of other toluene monooxygenase gene clusters. Th is multicomponent monooxygenase also has the capability to catalyze th e hydroxylation of various alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons. The low re giospecific hydroxylation was observed when toluene, o-xylene, ethyl b enzene and n-propyl benzene were used as substrates.