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Identification of a gene cluster associated with triclosan catabolism

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Abstract

Aerobic degradation of bis-aryl ethers like the antimicrobial triclosan typically proceeds through oxygenase-dependent catabolic pathways. Although several studies have reported on bacteria capable of degrading triclosan aerobically, there are no reports describing the genes responsible for this process. In this study, a gene encoding the large subunit of a putative triclosan oxygenase, designated tcsA was identified in a triclosan-degrading fosmid clone from a DNA library of Sphingomonas sp. RD1. Consistent with tcsA’s similarity to two-part dioxygenases, a putative FMN-dependent ferredoxin reductase, designated tcsB was found immediately downstream of tcsA. Both tcsAB were found in the midst of a putative chlorocatechol degradation operon. We show that RD1 produces hydroxytriclosan and chlorocatechols during triclosan degradation and that tcsA is induced by triclosan. This is the first study to report on the genetics of triclosan degradation.

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Acknowledgments

J. Kagle’s work at Cornell University was supported by a pre-doctoral fellowship through the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Funding for fosmid sequencing was provided by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Faculty Professional Development Council.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Mansfield University, Mansfield, PA, 16933, USA

    Jeanne M. Kagle, Clayton Paxson & Precious Johnstone

  2. Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA

    Anthony G. Hay

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  1. Jeanne M. Kagle
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  2. Clayton Paxson
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  3. Precious Johnstone
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  4. Anthony G. Hay
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Correspondence to Jeanne M. Kagle.

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Kagle, J.M., Paxson, C., Johnstone, P. et al. Identification of a gene cluster associated with triclosan catabolism. Biodegradation 26, 235–246 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10532-015-9730-9

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