Regulation of chloro- and methylphenol degradation in Comamonas testosteroni JH5

Comamonas testosteroni JH5 was isolated from a mixed bacterial culture enriched on different chloro- and methylphenols. The strain completely mineralized a mixture consisting of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) and 4-methylphenol (4-MP). During degradation of the mixture, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and 4-chlorocatechol were detected as short-lived intermediates. Mineralization of 4-CP and that of 4-MP occurred successively and were accompanied by diauxic growth, whereas 4-CP and 2-methylphenol were mineralized simultaneously. It was ascertained that neither a reversible enzyme inhibition nor potential toxic intermediates caused the observed diauxie. Some facts support the hypothesis that the successive degradation of 4-CP and 4-MP is regulated on the level of transcription. C. testosteroni JH5 contained a meta-cleaving enzyme when pregrown on 4-CP and the isomeric monomethylphenols. Inactivation of this enzyme in the presence of 3-chlorocatechol was observed.