PQQ-Dependent Alcohol Dehydrogenase (QEDH) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is involved in catabolism of acyclic terpenes

Growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on acyclic terpene alcohols such as geraniol depends on the presence of the atuRABCDEFGH gene cluster and a functional acyclic terpene utilisation (Atu) pathway. The proteins encoded by the atu gene cluster are necessary but not sufficient for growth on acyclic terpenes. Comparative 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of soluble P. aeruginosa proteins revealed the presence of an additional spot (besides Atu proteins) that is specifically expressed in geraniol cells but is absent in isovalerate-grown cells. The spot was identified as PA1982 gene product a pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) dependent ethanol oxidoreductase (QEDH). Inactivation of PA1982 by insertion mutagenesis resulted in inability of the mutant to utilise ethanol and in reduced growth on geraniol. Growth on ethanol was restored by transferring an intact copy of the PA1982 gene into the mutant. The PA1982 gene product was purified from recombinant Escherichia coli and revealed PQQ-dependent oxidoreductase activity with a variety of substrates including acyclic terpene derivates at comparable V-max-values. Our results show that QEDH participates in oxidation of acyclic terpene derivates in addition to the well-known function in ethanol metabolism.