American Society for Microbiology, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 1(69), p. 186-190, 2003
DOI: 10.1128/aem.69.1.186-190.2003
American Society for Microbiology, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 5(69), p. 3026-3026, 2003
DOI: 10.1128/aem.69.5.3026.2003
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ABSTRACT Mycobacterium sp. strain LB501T utilizes anthracene as a sole carbon and energy source. We analyzed cultures of the wild-type strain and of UV-generated mutants impaired in anthracene utilization for metabolites to determine the anthracene degradation pathway. Identification of metabolites by comparison with authentic standards and transient accumulation of o -phthalic acid by the wild-type strain during growth on anthracene suggest a pathway through o -phthalic acid and protocatechuic acid. As the only productive degradation pathway known so far for anthracene proceeds through 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene and the naphthalene degradation pathway to form salicylate, this indicates the existence of a novel anthracene catabolic pathway in Mycobacterium sp. LB501T.