The evolution of the phenylacetic acid degradation pathway in bacteria

• Published in: Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry Vol. 68; no. 3; pp. 746 - 748
• Main Authors: Abe Yoshizumi, R. (Meijo Univ., Nagoya (Japan)), Kamei, U, Yamada, A, Kimura, M, Ichihara, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry 01.03.2004; Japan Society for Bioscience Biotechnology and Agrochemistry; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: BACTERIA; Bacteria - genetics; Bacteria - metabolism; Base Sequence; BIOCHEMICAL PATHWAYS; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; biotechnology; catabolism; Coenzyme A Ligases - genetics; DEGRADATION; Evolution, Molecular; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; GENE TRANSFER; GENES; horizontal gene transfer; lateral gene transfer; LIGASES; Molecular Sequence Data; ORGANIC ACIDS; Phenylacetates - metabolism; phenylacetic acid; phenylacetyl CoA ligase; PHYLOGENY; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S - genetics; Soil Pollutants - metabolism; Degradation; Enzyme; Ligases; Bacteria; phenylacetyl CoA ligase; phenylacetic acid; lateral gene transfer; Genetic transfer
• ISSN: 0916-8451; 1347-6947; 1347-6947
• DOI: 10.1271/bbb.68.746

The phenylacetic acid (PhAc) degradation pathway becomes an interesting model for the catabolism of aromatic compounds. To determine the molecular basis for this environmentally important process, we did a phylogenic analysis based on the PhAc CoA ligase gene. It suggests that the PhAc CoA ligase genes are distributing widely and subject to frequent lateral gene transfer within and across bacterial phylum.