Substrate diversity of Pseudomonas spp. containing chlorotoluene degradative plasmids

Strains of Pseudomonas cepacia and Pseudomonas spp. isolated from soil by direct enrichment with chlorinated toluenes contained plasmids of approx.72 mdaltons which encoded for chlorotoluene degradation. Restriction analyses indicated that these plasmids, though of similar size, are not identical. Unlike Ps. putida mt-2 (TOL), strains used in this investigation did not utilize the meta-cleavage pathway for toluene catabolism. In addition, both the Ps. cepacia and and Pseudomonas spp. exhibit an increased range of activity on mono- and dichloronated toluenes and benzoates. The Ps. cepacia and Pseudomonas spp. were compared also with known toluene-degrading pseudomonads at physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels to gain insight into the development of catabolic plasmids and to explore the potential of such microorganisms to degrade toxic organic compounds. 30 references, 2 figures, 3 tables.