Rhodococcus sp. T9N Genome sequencing and assembly. Rhodococcus sp. T9N

A strain of the genus Rhodococcus was isolated from the polluted groundwater and identified as aerobic RDX degraders. The xplA gene encoding the cytochrome P450 enzyme was partially (approx 500 bp) sequenced. The obtained DNA sequences had 99 percent identity with corresponding gene fragments xplA of previously isolated RDX degrading Rhodococcus strains. RDX degradation was prevented by 200 micrometers of the cytochrome P450 inhibitor metyrapone, suggesting that cytochrome P450 indeed mediates the initial step in RDX degradation. RDX biodegradation activity by T9N isolate activity was retarded only by ammonium concentrations above 5.5 mM but not by nitrate. This study shows that bacteria from the genus Rhodococcus, potentially degrade RDX in the groundwater following the same aerobic degradation pathway defined for other Rhodococcus species in isolated soil. RDX-degrading activity by the Rhodococcus species isolates T9N may have important implications for the bioremediation of nitrate-rich RDX-contaminated aquifers.