CYP101J2, CYP101J3, and CYP101J4, 1,8-Cineole-Hydroxylating Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenases from Sphingobium yanoikuyae Strain B2

We report the isolation and characterization of three new cytochrome P450 monooxygenases: CYP101J2, CYP101J3, and CYP101J4. These P450s were derived fromSphingobium yanoikuyae B2, a strain that was isolated from activated sludge based on its ability to fully mineralize 1,8-cineole. Genome sequencing of this strain in combination with purification of native 1,8-cineole-binding proteins enabled identification of 1,8-cineole-binding P450s. The P450 enzymes were cloned, heterologously expressed (N-terminally His6 tagged) inEscherichia coli BL21(DE3), purified, and spectroscopically characterized. Recombinant whole-cell biotransformation inE. coli demonstrated that all three P450s hydroxylate 1,8-cineole using electron transport partners fromE. coli to yield a product putatively identified as (1S )-2α-hydroxy-1,8-cineole or (1R )-6α-hydroxy-1,8-cineole. The new P450s belong to the CYP101 family and share 47% and 44% identity with other 1,8-cineole-hydroxylating members found inNovosphingobium aromaticivorans andPseudomonas putida . Compared to P450cin (CYP176A1), a 1,8-cineole-hydroxylating P450 fromCitrobacter braakii , these enzymes share less than 30% amino acid sequence identity and hydroxylate 1,8-cineole in a different orientation. Expansion of the enzyme toolbox for modification of 1,8-cineole creates a starting point for use of hydroxylated derivatives in a range of industrial applications.IMPORTANCE CYP101J2, CYP101J3, and CYP101J4 are cytochrome P450 monooxygenases fromS. yanoikuyae B2 that hydroxylate the monoterpenoid 1,8-cineole. These enzymes not only play an important role in microbial degradation of this plant-based chemical but also provide an interesting route to synthesize oxygenated 1,8-cineole derivatives for applications as natural flavor and fragrance precursors or incorporation into polymers. The P450 cytochromes also provide an interesting basis from which to compare other enzymes with a similar function and expand the CYP101 family. This could eventually provide enough bacterial parental enzymes with similar amino acid sequences to enablein vitro evolution via DNA shuffling.