IDENTIFICATION OF THE BPHA AND BPHB GENES OF PSEUDOMONAS SP STRAIN KKS102 INVOLVED IN DEGRADATION OF BIPHENYL AND POLYCHLORINATED-BIPHENYLS

The nucleotide sequence of the upstream region of the bphC gene from P seudomonas sp, strain KKS102 was determined. Four genes were found in this region. Deduced amino acid sequences of the first, second, third and fourth genes showed significant homology with a large subunit of i ron-sulfur protein, a small subunit of iron-sulfur protein, ferredoxin and dihydrodiol dehydrogenase, respectively, from other bacteria whic h degrade biphenyl/polychlorinated biphenyls, toluene and benzene. E. coli, in which the four genes, bphC and the gene for ferredoxin reduct ase from benzene degrading bacterium were expressed, was able to produ ce meta-cleavage compounds from chlorinated biphenyls. These results s how that these gene products are functional in both biphenyl and polyc hlorinated biphenyls degradation. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.