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Updated: May 27, 2025

Isolation, Propagation, and Identification of Bacterial Species with Hydrocarbon Metabolizing Properties from Aquatic Habitats
Published on: December 7, 2021
Stereoisomer-specific bacterial mechanisms for hexabromocyclododecane biotransformation
Zhao Yang1, Bidan Zhang1, Yi Zhang1
1Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai International Advanced Research Institute (Shenzhen Futian), Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
Abstract:
Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), a flame retardant classified as a Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP), undergoes stereoisomer-specific microbial transformation with significant environmental and health implications. However, the underlying mechanisms of this stereoisomer-specific microbial transformation remain poorly understood. In this study, high-purity HBCD chiral isomers were isolated using an optimized high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method and their transformation by Acinetobacter hemolyticum sp. strain HW-2 was investigated through transcriptomic analysis. Within three days, strain HW-2 removed (+) α-, (-) α-, (+) β-, (-) β-, (+) γ-, and (-) γ-HBCD with respective removal efficiencies of 52.38 %, 71.08 %, 71.07 %, 63.34 %, 47.47 %, and 77.05 %. Transcriptomic data revealed stereoisomer-specific processes in HBCD transport, response, and transformation. Strain HW-2 upregulated major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transport genes for HBCD uptake, with distinct genes activated for different diastereoisomers. Compared to γ-HBCD, α- and β-HBCD exerted greater stress on strain HW-2, leading to increased expression of efflux genes and antioxidant-related genes. The transformation of HBCD stereoisomers involved distinct functional enzymes, with only (-) γ-HBCD metabolized via the aromatic compound metabolic pathway. This study elucidates the stereoisomeric-specific transformation mechanisms underlying HBCD transformation by strain HW-2, offering valuable insights for theoretical and practical applications in HBCD remediation.
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