Molecular cloning, genetic organization of gene cluster encoding phenol hydroxylase and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase in Alcaligenes faecalis IS-46

Alcaligenes faecalis IS-46 can utilize phenol as the sole carbon and energy source at concentration up to 1000 mg/l. In this report we created a cosmid library of this strain and the two clones specifying the whole L-46d type of phenol hydroxylase gene cluster were identified and characterized. Sequence analysis revealed that although the overall gene organization of the clusters was quite similar, few coding sequences differed or were found to have two copies compared with other source organisms. One of these coding sequences showed a good protein sequence similarity to a hypothetical protein and one matched with a regulatory protein of the LysR system. Their putative role in phenol degradation was discussed. Bioinformatic analysis suggested tentative phylogenetic assignments of the retrieved clusters. This work described for first time the complete nucleotide sequence and genetic organization of the whole phenol hydroxylase gene cluster in A. faecalis species.