Degradation of 3-methylpyridine and 3-ethylpyridine by Gordonia nitida LE31

Cells of Gordonia nitida LE31 grown on 3-methylpyridine degraded 3-ethylpyr idine without a lag time and vice versa. Cyclic intermediates were not dete cted, but formic acid was identified as a metabolite. Degradation of levuli nic acid was induced in cells grown on 3-methylpyridine and 3-ethylpyridine . Levulinic aldehyde dehydrogenase and formamidase activities were higher i n cells grown on 3-methylpyridine and 3-ethylpyridine than in cells grown o n acetate. These data indicate that 3-methylpyridine and 3-ethylpyridine we re degraded via a new pathway involving C-2-C-3 ring cleavage.