Cloning and nucleotide sequence of the 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl dioxygenase gene from the PCB-degrading strain of Pseudomonas paucimobilis Q1.

The bphC gene encoding 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl dioxygenase was cloned from biphenyl-degrading and chlorinated biphenyl-degrading Pseudomonas paucimobilis Q1, and its complete nucleotide sequence was determined. The DNA-derived protein sequence provides the primary structure of 298 amino acids. Polyclonal antibodies raised against this protein from P. paucimobilis Q1 failed to cross-react with the previously isolated 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl dioxygenase from Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes KF707 [Furukawa, K., & Arimura, N. (1987) J. Bacteriol. 169, 924-927. Furukawa, K., Arimura, N., & Miyazaki, T. (1987) J. Bacteriol. 169, 427-429], despite the close similarities of these proteins in terms of their native as well as subunit molecular weights, cofactor, and enzymatic activities. The sequence homology of the 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl dioxygenase from the two different sources is examined.