Comparative genome analysis of N. sp. PD653 and N. sp. PD653-B2. Nocardioides sp. PD653-B2

Hexachlorobenzene (C6Cl6; HCB) is an organochlorine fungicide which has been used worldwide since 1940s. Nocardioides sp. PD653 is the first bacteria capable of mineralizing HCB under aerobic conditions. The putative metabolic pathway of HCB in strain PD653 was proposed in Fig.1. HCB is mineralized via Pentachlorophenol (PCP). Various bacterium was found to degrade PCP, and the genes has been elucidated in detail in Shingobium chlorophenolicum ATCC 397232). We assume that this pathway is contributed to degradation of HCB in the same manner. However, dehalogenase involved in initial step of aerobic dechlorination of HCB is still unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study is isolation and identification genes which are involved in dechlorination of HCB.