Cloning, sequencing, and expression of isopropylbenzene degradation genes from Psuedomonas sp. strain JR1: identification of isopropylbenzene dioxygenase that mediates trichloroethene oxidation

The genes encoding enzymes involved in the catabolism of isopropylbenzene (IPB) in Psuedomonas sp. strain JR1 have been identified in a cosmid clone consisting of seven open reading frames. The ipbA gene codes for IPB dioxygenase, ipbB codes for 2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxy-IPB dehydrogenase and ipbC codes for 3-isopropylcatechol 2,3-dioxygenase. The amino acid sequence of the clone is similar to that of the proteins involved in biphenyl-degradation in gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. IPB is the inducer substrate for trichloroethene oxidation in Pseudomonas.