A novel C1-using denitrifier Alcaligenes sp STC1 and its genes for copper-containing nitrite reductase and azurin

A novel denitrifier Alcaligenes sp. STC1 was identified. The strain efficie ntly denitrifies under an atmosphere of 10% oxygen (O-2) where Paracoccus d enitrificans, one of the most studied aerobic denitrifiers, had less denitr ifying activity, indicating that the strain has an O-2-tolerant denitrifyin g system. It denitrified by using C1-carbon sources such as formate and met hanol as well as glucose, glycerol, and succinate. The genes for the copper -containing nitrite reductase and azurin of this CI-using denitrifier were cloned. Their predicted products of them were similar to those of their cou nterparts and the maximum similarities were 90% and 92%, respectively.