Organization and expression of the genes involved in the metabolism of polyethylene glycol and poly(1vinyl alcohol)

Fusako Kawai, Akio Tani, Kazuhide Kimbara

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Because of the large-scale production and widespread use of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and polyvinyl alcohol) (PVA), these products eventually find their way into the natural environment. Their microbial metabolic pathways have been well studied. Our laboratory has cloned the relevant genes involved in the degradation of PEG and PVA from Sphingomonas sp. strains 103 and 113P3, respectively. A 13.3 kb DNA fragment containing the PEG dehydrogenase gene was cloned and sequenced. This report presents data about the operon related to PEG degradation and the regulation of this operon. Similar gene structures were found in other PEGutilizing sphingomonads. In addition, the PVA degradation operon, which includes genes for PVA dehydrogenase and oxidized PVA hydrolase, was also investigated. These genes were located in tandem with little intergenic space between them, suggesting that both genes are expressed constitutively and polycistronically.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationDegradable Polymers and Materials Principles and Practice
EditorsKishan Khemani, Carmen Scholz
Pages367-383
Number of pages17
Publication statusPublished - Dec 1 2006

Publication series

NameACS Symposium Series
Volume939
ISSN (Print)0097-6156

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemistry(all)
  • Chemical Engineering(all)

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