Combined chromosomal and plasmid encoded control for the degradation of phenol inPseudomonas putida

Abstract

SUMMARY: The TOL(M1) metabolic plasmid was transferred fromPseudomonas arvillamt-2 to a mutant ofPseudomonas putida. Although neither the donor nor the recipient could grow on phenol, the transconjugants could grow slowly on this carbon source. In these transconjugants phenol was converted to catechol by chromosomal encoded phenol hydroxylase followed by degradation of catechol by low uninduced levels of the plasmid encoded catecholmetacleavage pathway. A mutant, which grew well on phenol, was isolated from one of the transconjugants and it was found that phenol could now act as an inducer for themetacleavage pathway.