Biodegradation of the endocrine-disrupting compound bisphenol F by Sphingobium yanoikuyae DN12

Bisphenol F (BPF) is an emerging environmental pollutant widely present in surface water and wastewater systems. Microbial activity is crucial in driving its degradation, offering a potential avenue for mitigating its environmental impact. Although the degradation pathway for BPF has been identified in various bacteria, the biodegradation mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we isolated a highly efficient BPF-degrading strain of Sphingobium yanoikuyae DN12, which could utilize BPF as the sole carbon and energy source for growth, from a river sediment in Anhui Province, China. Through ultra-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS) analysis, we found that oxidation and hydrolysis are key steps for BPF biodegradation. Utilizing whole-genome sequencing, comparative transcriptomics analysis, and biochemical identification, a gene cluster bpf was identified to be involved in BPF degradation. BpfAB is a two-component oxidoreductase responsible for converting BPF to 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone (DHBP). BpfC is a Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase responsible for converting DHBP to 4-hydroxyphenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate (HPHB). Isotope tracing demonstrated that the oxygen atom incorporated by BpfAB originates from water, whereas that incorporated by BpfC derives from molecular oxygen (O₂). BpfD is an α/β hydrolase responsible for converting HPHB to 4-hydroxybenzoate and 1,4-hydroquinone. Analysis of the taxonomic and habitat of 325 prokaryotic genomes revealed that BpfA-like homologs are predominantly found in the phylum Pseudomonadota, primarily inhabiting soil and aquatic environments. This study enhances our understanding of the biodegradation mechanism of BPF and provides guidance for the effective remediation of BPF-contaminated environments.IMPORTANCEBisphenol F (BPF) is a widely used alternative to bisphenol A and poses a growing threat to ecosystems and human health due to its environmental persistence and endocrine-disrupting effects. Although microbial degradation pathways for BPF have been reported, the key enzymes involved and their catalytic mechanisms remain unclear. This work reports the isolation of a Sphingobium strain capable of mineralizing BPF and the genetic basis for the catabolic pathway. Three enzymes-a two-component oxidoreductase, a Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase, and an α/β hydrolase-were biochemically characterized and shown to catalyze the three critical steps in BPF degradation. These findings provide insights into the biochemical processes involved in the microbial degradation of BPF.