The tfdC(I)D(I)E(I)F(I,) and tfdD(II)C(II)E(II)F(II) gene modules of plasmid pJP4 of Ralstonia eutropha JMP134 encode complete sets of functional enzymes for the transformation of chlorocatechols into 3-oxoadipate, which are all expressed during growth on 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate (2,4-D). However, activity of tfd(I)-encoded enzymes was usually higher than that of tfd(II)-encoded enzymes, both...

2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) is a hazardous pollutant that is efficiently degraded by some aerobic soil bacterial isolates under laboratory conditions. The degradation of this pollutant in soils and its effect on the soil microbial community are poorly understood. We report here the ability of a previously unexposed forest soil microbiota to degrade high levels of 2,4,6-TCP and describe th...

The quinohemoprotein tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol dehydrogenase (THFA-DH) from Ralstonia eutropha strain Bo was investigated for its catalytic properties. The apparent k(cat)/K(m) and K(i) values for several substrates were determined using ferricyanide as an artificial electron acceptor. The highest catalytic efficiency was obtained with n-pentanol exhibiting a k(cat)/K(m) value of 788 x 10(4) M...

The substrate specificity of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase 1 (PhaC1(Pp), class II) from Pseudomonas putida GPo1 (formerly known as Pseudomonas oleovorans GPo1) was successfully altered by localized semirandom mutagenesis. The enzyme evolution system introduces multiple point mutations, designed on the basis of the conserved regions of the PHA synthase family, by using PCR-based gene fragm...

Formic acid, acting as both carbon and energy source, is a safe alternative to a carbon dioxide, hydrogen and dioxygen mix for studying the conversion of carbon through the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle into value-added chemical compounds by non-photosynthetic microorganisms. In this work, organoautotrophic growth of Ralstonia eutropha on formic acid was studied using an approach combining ...

Caulobacter crescentus was investigated with respect to polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) biosynthesis. Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) accumulation contributing to approximately 18% of the cell dry weight was obtained in the presence of glucose. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gel permeation chromatography of the purified PHA showed that this polyester was solely composed of 3-hydroxybutyrate and ...

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) cellular inclusions consist of polyesters, phospholipids, and proteins. Both the polymerase and the depolymerase enzymes are active components of the structure. Recently, proteins associated with these inclusions have been described in a number of bacterial species. In order to further clarify the structure and function of these proteins in relation to polymer inclusi...