Open AccessGenetic adaptation of bacteria to chlorinated aromatic compounds
Author(s) -
Meer Jan Roelof
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
fems microbiology reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.91
H-Index - 212
eISSN - 1574-6976
pISSN - 0168-6445
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6976.1994.tb00137.x
Subject(s) - biology , bacteria , adaptation (eye) , gene , genetics , microbial metabolism , metabolic pathway , dna , biochemistry , neuroscience
Genetic mechanisms in bacteria provide a continuous source of alterations in DNA sequences that may lead to favourable adaptations. Bacteria that use chlorinated aromatics as sole carbon and energy sources show evidence of these different genetic alterations. The distinct effects of single base‐pair mutations on adaptation of bacterial strains (e.g. by changing the substrate specificity of a key metabolic enzyme or regulator protein) have been demonstrated in various studies. In addition to these small sequence modifications, intermolecular or intercellular gene exchange mechanisms can result in new strains with altered metabolic capabilities. The details of these evolutionary processes with respect to the metabolism of chlorobenzenes and chlorocatechols are reviewed in this manuscript.