Effect of dsz D gene expression on benzothiophene degradation of Rhodococcus sp strain T09

In order to enhance benzothiophene (BT) degradation, a flavin-oxidoreductas e gene, dsz D from dibenzothiophene (DBT) desulphurizing Rhodococcus erythr opolis KA2-5-1 was expressed in BT desulphurizing Rhodococcus sp. strain T0 9 using a Rhodococcus-E. coli shuttle vector. The BT degradation rate was i ncreased about threefold with BT grown recombinant cell, suggesting that th e flavin-oxidoreductase is involved in BT degradation and the dsz D gene pr oduct could replace its native oxidoreductase, although Western blotting an alysis revealed the strain T09 flavin-oxidoreductase was immunologically di fferent. The dsz D gene product was expressed even when inorganic sulphate was used as the sole sulphur source. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rig hts reserved.