Plasmid-mediated degradation of o-phthalate and salicylate by a Moraxella sp.

A Moraxella sp. strain VG45 capable of utilizing o-phthalate and salicylate as a sole source of carbon and energy was isolated. The degradation of o-phthalate occurs via phthalate 4,5-dioxygenase, 4,5-dihydro-4,5-dihydroxyphthalate dehydrogenase, 4,5-dihydroxyphthalate decarboxylase and protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase. Salicylate is degraded via salicylate 5-hydroxylase, gentisate 1,2-dioxygenase and then by a glutathione-independent maleylpyruvate hydrolase. Further, a plasmid of app. 60 kilobase pairs (kb) is involved in the degradation of the o-phthalate and salicylate and the enzymes of these two pathways are independently regulated in strain VG45.