Characterization of Two Hydrogen Peroxide Resistant Peroxidases from Rhodococcus opacus 1CP

The dye-decolorizing peroxidases (DyP) are a family of heme-dependent enzymes present on a broad spectrum of microorganisms. While the natural function of these enzymes is not fully understood, their capacity to degrade highly contaminant pigments such as azo dyes or anthraquinones make them excellent candidates for applications in bioremediation and organic synthesis. In this work, two novel DyP peroxidases from the organism Rhodococcus opacus 1CP (DypA and DypB) were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The enzymes were purified and biochemically characterized. The activities of the two DyPs via 2,2′-azino-bis [3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid] (ABTS) assay and against Reactive Blue 5 were assessed and optimized. Results showed varying trends for DypA and DypB. Remarkably, these enzymes presented a particularly high tolerance towards H2O2, retaining its activities at about 10 mM H2O2 for DypA and about 4.9 mM H2O2 for DypB.

Two Homologous Enzymes of the GalU Family in Rhodococcus opacus 1CP—RoGalU1 and RoGalU2

Uridine-5’-diphosphate (UDP)-glucose is reported as one of the most versatile building blocks within the metabolism of pro- and eukaryotes. The activated sugar moiety is formed by the enzyme UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (GalU). Two homologous enzymes (designated as RoGalU1 and RoGalU2) are encoded by most Rhodococcus strains, known for their capability to degrade numerous compounds, but also to synthesize natural products such as trehalose comprising biosurfactants. To evaluate their functionality respective genes of a trehalose biosurfactant producing model organism—Rhodococcus opacus 1CP—were cloned and expressed, proteins produced (yield up to 47 mg per L broth) and initially biochemically characterized. In the case of RoGalU2, the Vmax was determined to be 177 U mg−1 (uridine-5’-triphosphate (UTP)) and Km to be 0.51 mM (UTP), respectively. Like other GalUs this enzyme seems to be rather specific for the substrates UTP and glucose 1-phosphate, as it accepts only dTTP and galactose 1-phoshate in addition, but both with solely 2% residual activity. In comparison to other bacterial GalU enzymes the RoGalU2 was found to be somewhat higher in activity (factor 1.8) even at elevated temperatures. However, RoGalU1 was not obtained in an active form thus it remains enigmatic if this enzyme participates in metabolism.

Evaluation of 3-Chlorobenzoate 1,2-Dioxygenase Inhibition by 2- and 4-Chlorobenzoate with a Cell-Based Technique

The electrochemical reactor microbial sensor with the Clark oxygen electrode as the transducer was used for investigation of the competition between 3-chlorobenzoate (3-CBA) and its analogues, 2- and 4-chlorobenzoate (2-CBA and 4-CBA), for 3-chlorobenzoate-1,2-dioxygenase (3-CBDO) of Rhodococcus opacus 1CP cells. The change in respiration of freshly harvested R. opacus 1CP cells in response to 3-CBA served as an indicator of 3-CBDO activity. The results obtained confirmed inducibility of 3-CBDO. Sigmoidal dependency of the rate of the enzymatic reaction on the concentration of 3-CBA was obtained and positive kinetic cooperativity by a substrate was shown for 3-CBDO. The Hill concentration constant, S0.5, and the constant of catalytic activity, Vmax, were determined. Inhibition of the rate of enzymatic reaction by excess substrate, 3-CBA, was observed. Associative (competitive inhibition according to classic classification) and transient types of the 3-CBA-1,2-DO inhibition by 2-CBA and 4-CBA, respectively, were found. The kinetic parameters such as S0.5i and Vmaxi were also estimated for 2-CBA and 4-CBA. The disappearance of the S-shape of the curve of the V versus S dependence for 3-CBDO in the presence of 4-CBA was assumed to imply that 4-chlorobenzoate had no capability to be catalytically transformed by 3-chlorobenzoate-1,2-dioxygenase of Rhodococcus opacus 1CP cells.