Degradation of 2,4-dihydroxybenzoate by Pseudomonas sp. BN9

The aerobic degradation of 2,4-dihydroxybenzoate by Pseudomonas sp. BN9 was studied. Intact cells of Pseudomonas sp. BN9 grown with 2,4-dihydroxybenzoate oxidized 2,4-dihydroxybenzoate but not salicylate. Cell-free extracts of Pseudomonas sp. BN9 converted 2,4-dihydroxybenzoate after the addition of NAD(P)H. A partially purified protein fraction converted 2,4-dihydroxybenzoate with NADH to 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene. 1,2,4-Trihydroxybenzene was converted by a 1,2-dioxygenase to maleylpyruvate, which was reduced by a NADH-dependent enzyme to 3-oxoadipate. 2,4-Dihydroxybenzoate 1-monooxygenase, 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene 1,2-dioxygenase and maleylpyruvate reductase were induced in Pseudomonas sp. BN9 after growth with 2,4-dihydroxybenzoate.