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An Update on the Genomic View of Mycobacterial High-Molecular-Weight Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Degradation

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Aerobic Utilization of Hydrocarbons, Oils and Lipids

Part of the book series: Handbook of Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology ((HHLM))

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Abstract

Bacteria play an important role in the degradation of high-molecular-weight (HMW) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are recalcitrant in the environment and potentially toxic to living organisms. A phylogenetically diverse bacterial community has been identified and characterized from PAH-contaminated soils and sediments that have the ability to degrade these ubiquitous pollutants. Strains of mycobacteria have frequently been found to degrade HMW PAHs. There are significant differences between the genetic systems in mycobacteria and other bacterial strains that degrade monocyclic aromatic compounds, low-molecular-weight (LMW), and HMW PAHs. Recently, a series of interdisciplinary studies using systems biology and analytical chemistry approaches has provided global insights into the structure, behavior, and evolution of mycobacterial HMW PAH degradation. In this review, we provide an update on genome-based systematic research with explanations and insights on the mycobacterial degradation of HMW PAHs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Microbiology, National Center for Toxicological Research, Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA

    Ohgew Kweon, Seong-Jae Kim & Carl E. Cerniglia

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  1. Ohgew Kweon
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  2. Seong-Jae Kim
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  3. Carl E. Cerniglia
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Correspondence to Carl E. Cerniglia .

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  1. CSIC Campus de Cantoblanco, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología CSIC Campus de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain

    Fernando Rojo

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Kweon, O., Kim, SJ., Cerniglia, C.E. (2018). An Update on the Genomic View of Mycobacterial High-Molecular-Weight Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Degradation. In: Rojo, F. (eds) Aerobic Utilization of Hydrocarbons, Oils and Lipids. Handbook of Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39782-5_31-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39782-5_31-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-39782-5

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