Genetic structure and functional implication of the fcb gene cluster for hydrolytic dechlorination of 4-chlorobenzoate from Pseudomonas sp DJ-12

The fcb gene cluster responsible for the hydrolytic dechlorination of 4-chlorobenzoate (4CBA) was cloned from the chromosomal DNA of Pseudomonas sp. DJ-12, and its nucleotide sequence analyzed. The gene cluster was organized in the order fcbB-fcbA-fcbT1-fcbT2-cbT3-fcbC, which is different from that reported in other bacteria. A promoter-like sequence (-35 and -10 region) is located upstream of the fcbB gene and putative ribosome-binding sequences were found upstream of the respective orfs. A stem-loop transcription terminator structure is found downstream of fcbC. This suggests that the six orfs are transcribed into a polycistronic mRNA. The FcbA, FcbB, and FcbC enzymes for dechlorination of 4CBA have a relationship in common with the enzymes involved in fatty acid metabolism on the basis of their deduced amino acid sequences. The proteins encoded by fcbT1, fcbT2, and fcbT3 show similarity to those encoded by dctP, dctQ, and dctM of Rhodobacter capsulatus respectively, which encode transporter proteins for C4-dicarboxylate. It is likely, therefore, that these proteins of DJ-12 play a role in transport of 4CBA into the cell. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.