Regulation of the sdsA alkyl sulfatase of Pseudomonas sp. ATCC19151 and its involvement in degradation of anionic surfactants.

AIMS: The presented study was aimed to reveal transcriptional regulation of genes involved in SDS degradation (sdsA and sdsB) in Pseudomonas sp. ATCC19151. In addition, the ability of Pseudomonas sp. ATCC19151 to degrade anionic surfactants present in commercial detergent and septic tank drain was analysed. METHODS AND
RESULTS: Strain ATCC19151, at 30°C, degrades all SDS present in the liquid medium (up to 4% w/v of SDS) within 48 h. ATCC19151 grows in the presence up to 15% (v/v) 'Fairy' commercial detergent and mineralizes 35% of present anionic surfactants. Analysis of the sdsA (P(sdsA) ) and divergent sdsB (P(sdsB) ) gene promoter activities revealed that SdsB acts as a positive regulator of sdsA and sdsB transcription. P(sdsA) and P(sdsB) activities rose significantly in the presence of the SDS, indicating inducibility of sdsA and sdsB transcription. DNA-binding assay indicated that SdsB directly regulates the transcription of sdsA and sdsB genes. Strain ATCC19151 grew in a sterile septic tank drain and on commercial detergent as sole source of carbon.
CONCLUSIONS: SdsA enables Pseudomonas sp. ATCC19151 to utilize SDS as a sole carbon source. SdsB is positive transcriptional regulator of sdsA and sdsB genes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Ability of ATCC19151 to degrade anionic surfactants makes Pseudomonas sp. ATCC19151 a good candidate for bioremediation.