Horizontal Gene Transfer of Genes Encoding Copper-Containing Membrane-Bound Monooxygenase (CuMMO) and Soluble Di-iron Monooxygenase (SDIMO) in Ethane- and Propane-Oxidizing Rhodococcus Bacteria.

The families of copper-containing membrane-bound monooxygenases (CuMMOs) and soluble di-iron monooxygenases (SDIMOs) are involved not only in methane oxidation but also in short-chain alkane oxidation. Here, we describe Rhodococcus sp. strain ZPP, a bacterium able to grow with ethane or propane as the sole carbon and energy source, and report on the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of actinobacterial hydrocarbon monooxygenases (HMOs) of the CuMMO family and the sMMO (soluble methane monooxygenase)-like SDIMO in the genus Rhodococcus. The key function of HMO in strain ZPP for propane oxidation was verified by allylthiourea inhibition. The HMO genes (designated hmoCAB) and those encoding sMMO-like SDIMO (designated smoXYB1C1Z) are located on a linear megaplasmid (pRZP1) of strain ZPP. Comparative genomic analysis of similar plasmids indicated the mobility of these plasmids within the genus Rhodococcus. The plasmid pRZP1 in strain ZPP could be conjugatively transferred to a recipient Rhodococcus erythropolis strain in a mating experiment and showed similar ethane- and propane-consuming activities. Finally, our findings demonstrate that the horizontal transfer of plasmid-based CuMMO and SDIMO genes confers the ability to use ethane and propane on the recipient. IMPORTANCE CuMMOs and SDIMOs initiate the aerobic oxidation of alkanes in bacteria. Here, the supposition that horizontally transferred plasmid-based CuMMO and SDIMO genes confer on the recipient similar abilities to use ethane and propane was proposed and confirmed in Rhodococcus. This study is a living example of HGT of CuMMOs and SDIMOs and outlines the plasmid-borne properties responsible for gaseous alkane degradation. Our results indicate that plasmids can support the rapid evolution of enzyme-mediated biogeochemical processes.