We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Biodegradation of PET plastic by a marine strain Rhodococcus pyridinivorans P23 with a membrane anchoring PET esterase in a biofilm model
Summary
Researchers isolated a marine bacterium from deep sea sediment that can biodegrade PET plastic using a membrane-anchored enzyme, demonstrating the first marine biofilm-based PET degradation mechanism. Marine microorganisms capable of breaking down plastics in ocean environments could help reduce microplastic accumulation over long timescales.
Abstract Evidence for microbial biofilm formation on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has previously been reported, but little is known about the PET biodegradation process and molecular mechanism by biofilm especially in marine environments. Here, we isolate a PET-degrading bacterium, Rhodococcus pyridinovorans P23, from deep sea sediment with the ability to grow using PET as sole carbon and energy source. We identify a novel membrane anchoring PET degrading enzyme dubbed PET esterase through activity tracking, and find that in addition to depolymerizing PET, it also hydrolyzes MHET into TPA under acid conditions. We prove that it is a low and constitutive transcribed transmembrane protein displaying on the cell surface ensuring no loss into the ocean. Based on these findings, we propose a PET biodegradation model with microbial biofilm formation in marine environment. The crucial roles of biofilm is retaining degradation product MHET and TPA to create an acidic microenvironment on the PET plastic surface distinguishing itself from the alkaline sea water, which promotes the MHET hydrolysis by PET esterase to produce TPA for utilization. Furthermore, we also investigate the microbial groups possessing PET esterase coupled with TPA degradation pathway mainly in phyla Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Biodegradation of PET by the membrane-anchored PET esterase from the marine bacterium Rhodococcus pyridinivorans P23
Researchers identified a membrane-anchored enzyme from the marine bacterium Rhodococcus pyridinivorans that can break down PET plastic. The enzyme, displayed on the cell's surface, not only depolymerizes PET but also hydrolyzes its breakdown products under acidic conditions. The study provides new insight into how marine microorganisms naturally biodegrade plastic pollution, which could inform future bioremediation strategies.
Marine hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria breakdown poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)
Scientists used microcosm studies to investigate whether marine hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria can break down PET plastic, finding that specific bacterial strains could colonize and degrade PET surfaces, offering insights into natural plastic biodegradation in the ocean.
Breakdown of polyethylene therepthalate microplastics under saltwater conditions using engineered Vibrio natriegens
Scientists engineered a marine bacterium, Vibrio natriegens, to break down PET plastic into its basic chemical building blocks in saltwater conditions at moderate temperatures. The engineered bacteria display enzymes on their cell surface that can depolymerize PET without needing any pretreatment of the plastic. This biological approach could eventually help address ocean microplastic pollution, though significant work remains to scale the technology from the laboratory to real-world applications.
Enhanced degradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics by an engineered Stenotrophomonas pavanii in the presence of biofilm
Scientists engineered a biofilm-forming bacterium to break down PET microplastics (the type found in water bottles and food containers) at room temperature. The engineered bacteria achieved significant PET degradation over 30 days and also worked on other polyester plastics, offering a potential biological solution for cleaning up microplastic pollution in water environments.
A multi-OMIC characterisation of biodegradation and microbial community succession within the PET plastisphere
Researchers performed a multi-omic analysis of bacterial communities colonizing PET plastic in marine environments, identifying microorganisms capable of degrading PET and characterizing the enzymatic pathways involved, advancing understanding of natural plastic biodegradation in ocean systems.