CLONING OF 3-CHLOROBENZOATE-DEGRADING GENES FROM PSEUDOMONAS-PUTIDA STRAIN-87

The ability of Pseudomonas putida strain 87 to catabolize 3-chlorobenzoate was shown to be mediated by genes of pBS109 plasmid. The plasmid may be transferred by conjugation into P. aeruginosa PAO2175. It seems possible that the pBS109 plasmid codes for pyrocatechase II specific for halogenated catechol, but not catechol. The genes specifying utilization of 3-chlorobenzoate from pBS109 plasmid were cloned in the 5.5 kb BglII fragment by using broad-host cloning system. The resulting pBS11O plasmid was transferred into P. putida, which results in utilization of 3-chlorobenzoate by transconjugants.