Application of a novel gene encoding bromophenol dehalogenase from Ochrobactrum sp. T in TBBPA degradation

Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA), a typical brominated flame retardant, leaked from commercial products into the environments has attracted people's attention around the world. Ochrobactrum sp. T capable of degradation and mineralization of TBBPA was isolated in our early work. In this study, the identification of TBBPA-degrading gene from the strain was further carried out by combining whole-genome sequencing with gene cloning and expression procedures. In total, 3877 open reading frames were found within 3.9 Mb genome and seven of them were identified as dehalogenating-relating genes. One gene with a significant ability to degrade TBBPA was designated as tbbpaA. Sequence alignments analysis showed that it shared 100% identity with haloacid dehalogenases. Furthermore, tbbpaA gene was cloned and expressed into E. coli to achieve a constructed strain. Like the original strain, the constructed strain could degrade TBBPA (6 mg L-1) with 78% of debromination efficiency and 37.8% mineralization efficiency within 96 h. Gene expression study revealed that tbbpaA was up-regulated in the presence of TBBPA. Overall, we report the identification of a functional TBBPA-degrading gene in an aerobe, which can deepen the knowledge of enhancing TBBPA removal by Strain T at the genetic level and facilitate in situ TBBPA bioremediation.