Experimental and Genomic Evaluation of the Oestrogen Degrading Bacterium Rhodococcus equi ATCC13557

Rhodococcus equi ATCC13557 was selected as a model organism to study oestrogen degradation based on its previous ability degrade 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2). Biodegradation experiments revealed that R. unable metabolise EE2. However, it able E2 with the major metabolite being E1 no further of E1. conversion into incomplete, 11.2 and 50.6% degraded in mixed (E1-E2-EE2) E2-only conditions, respectively. Therefore, metabolic pathway by may have two possible pathways. The genome sequenced, assembled, mapped for first time. analysis allowed identification genes possibly responsible observed biodegradation characteristics ATCC13557. Several within are similar, but not identical sequence, those identified genomes other degrading bacteria, including Pseudomonas putida strain SJTE-1 Sphingomonas KC8. Homologous gene sequences coding enzymes potentially involved degradation, most commonly cytochrome P450 monooxygenase ( oecB ), extradiol dioxygenase oecC 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase oecA were These searches also cluster steroid/oestrogen degradation; 3-carboxyethylcatechol 2,3-dioxygenase, 2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde hydrolase, 3-alpha-(or 20-beta)-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 3-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)propionate hydroxylase, monooxygenase, 3-oxosteroid 1-dehydrogenase. Further, steroid hormone metabolism clusters from 9, 10- seco pathway, therefore has potential hormones such cholesterol.