Biochemical Mechanisms and Catabolic Enzymes Involved in Bacterial Estrogen Degradation Pathways

摘要: Estrogens have been classified as group 1 carcinogens by the World Health Organization and represent a significant concern given that they are found in surface waters worldwide, long-term exposure to estrogen-contaminated water can disrupt sexual development animals. To date, estrogen catabolic enzymes genes remain unknown. Using tiered functional genomics approach, we identified three gene clusters Sphingomonas sp. strain KC8. We several estrone-derived compounds, including 4-hydroxyestrone, meta-cleavage product, pyridinestrone acid. The yeast-based assay suggested acid exhibits negligible estrogenic activity. characterized 17β-estradiol dehydrogenase 4-hydroxyestrone 4,5-dioxygenase, responsible for 17-dehydrogenation of A ring, respectively. characteristic was detected estrone-spiked samples collected from two wastewater treatment plants suburban rivers Taiwan. results significantly expand our understanding microbial degradation aromatic steroids at molecular level.