Microbial Diversity and Genetics of Biodegradation
Published in 1997
Book
Hardback
XII, 210 pages
978-3-8055-6589-9 (ISBN)
Description
In the past 50 years the number of artificial compounds in existence has increased exponentially. Compounds containing chlorine atoms, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid are extremely resistant to decomposition and have become major environmental problems. More recently, however, certain microorganisms have been discovered which can break down these compounds - a finding which offers attractive perspectives for eliminating environmental toxins biologically. This book presents the key results of an international research project on microbial evolution - a collaboration between research centers in the USA and Japan. Following an overview of basic knowledge and perspectives on microbial diversity and the genetics of biodegradation of aromatic compounds, the biochemistry of xenobiotic biodegradation is described in detail. Several chapters discuss microbial ecology and community structure while others consider evolutionary mechanisms and pathway diversity of 2,4-D and PCB degradation. Furthering the development of novel and improved methodologies for fighting environmental pollution, this book will be a valuable resource for microbiologists from both academia and industry.
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Content
Overview: basic knowledge and perspectives on microbial diversity and genetics of biodegradation of aromatic compounds. The biochemistry of xenobiotic biodegradation: hybrid enzymes between biphenyl/polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and benzene/toluene degradative pathway dioxygenases; multiple metabolic pathways involved in polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) degradation in "Rhodococcus" sp. strain RHA1; biochemistry of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) degradation - evolutionary implications; regulation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid degradative operons. Microbial ecology and community structure: what is the global pattern of chloroaromatic degrading microbial populations?; genome confirmation and genetic diversity - a closer look at several species of "rhodococcus" isolated from contaminated soils; experimental studies on the evolution of bacteria that degrade 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid; effects of toxic metabolites on dynamics and fitness in laboratory populations; isolation and characterization of pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) degrading bacterium, "pseudomonas aeruginosa" strain I-41; degradation of aromatics and haloaromatics by halophilic bacteria. Evolutionary mechanisms and pathway diversity: isolation and characterization of diverse polychorinated biphenyl (PCB)/biphenyl-degrading gram-positive bacteria; the evolution of meta-cleavage pathways for degradation of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)/biphenyl in gram-negative bacteria; microbial, genomic, and genetic diversity within aromatic hydrocarbon degrading bacteria - a phylogenetic perspective; structure and function of biphenyl/polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) degradationgenes in a gram-positive bacterium "rhodococcus" sp. RHA 1; genetic diversity of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) catabolic genes.