Cadmium increases catechol 2,3-dioxygenase activity in Variovorax sp. 12S, a metal-tolerant and phenol-degrading strain.

A Gram-negative bacterium, designated as strain 12S, was isolated from a heavy metal-polluted soil. According to the biochemical characteristics, FAME analysis, and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the isolated strain was identified as Variovorax sp. 12S. In the presence of 0.1 mM cadmium, 12S was able to completely utilize up to 1.5 mM of phenol as the sole carbon and energy source in an MSM-TRIS medium. Degradation of phenol was accompanied by a slow bacterial growth rate and an extension of the lag phase. The cells grown on phenol showed catechol 2,3-dioxygenase (C23O) activity. The activity of C23O from 12S cultivated in medium with Cd(2+) was almost 20 % higher than in the control. Since environmental contamination with aromatic compounds is often accompanied by the presence of heavy metals, Variovorax sp. 12S and its C23O appear to be very powerful and useful tools in the biotreatment of wastewaters and soil decontamination.