Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus A6 possesses several monooxygenases (CphC-I, CphC-II, and CphB) that can catalyze the transformation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) to hydroxylated intermediates in the initial steps of substrate metabolism. The corresponding genes of the monooxygenases were cloned, and the competent cells were transformed with these recombinant plasmids. Although CphC-II and CphB were expressed as insoluble forms, CphC-I was successfully expressed as a soluble form and isolated by purification. The specific activity of the purified CphC-I was analyzed by using 4-CP, 4-chlorocatechol (4-CC), and catechol (CAT) as substrates. The specific activities for 4-CP, 4-CC, and CAT were determined to be 0.312 U/mg, 0.462 U/mg, 0.246 U/mg, respectively. The results of this study indicated that CphC-I is able to catalyze the degradation of 4-CC and CAT in addition to 4-CP, which is a primary substrate. This research is expected to provide the fundamental information for the development of an eco-friendly biochemical degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons.

Keywords: 4-Chlorophenol;Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus A6;Monooxygenase;Enzyme cloning and expression;