Health Education and Behavioral

Gene Clusters Involved in Isethionate Degradation by Terrestrial and Marine Bacteria

Department of Biology, The University, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany, Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil ACW, Swiss Federal Research Station, Schloss, Postfach, CH-8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland

Received 29 July 2009/ Accepted 10 November 2009

Ubiquitous isethionate (2-hydroxyethanesulfonate) is dissimilated by diverse bacteria. Growth of Cupriavidus necator H16 with isethionate was observed, as was inducible membrane-bound isethionate dehydrogenase (IseJ) and inducible transcription of the genes predicted to encode IseJ and a transporter (IseU). Biodiversity in isethionate transport genes was observed and investigated by transcription experiments.