Unique genetic modifications to C. acetobutylicum altered the level of hydrogenase expression, allowing study of the resulting effects on the 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) reduction rates to be possible. A strain designed to over-express the hydrogenase gene resulted in maintained TNT reduction during late growth phases when it is not typically observed. Strains exhibiting under-expression of hydrogenase produced slower TNT rates of reduction correlating to the expected inhibition of each strain type. Hydrogenase activity, measured by hydrogen production, in Clostridium acetobutylicum correlates strongly (R2 = 0.89) to TNT reduction rates. Indications suggested that hydrogenase potentially played an integral role in catalysis of TNT transformation by reducing its nitro substituents to the corresponding hydroxylamines. A mechanistic pathway is proposed by which this transformation takes place and may enhance the understanding of commonly found hydrogenases in other microorganisms and their ability to transform nitroaromatic compounds.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:RICE/oai:scholarship.rice.edu:1911/17632 |
| Date | January 2003 |
| Creators | Watrous, Mary Margaret |
| Contributors | Hughes, Joseph B. |
| Source Sets | Rice University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, Text |
| Format | 94 p., application/pdf |
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