Identification of a novel ipp gene cluster responsible for 2-isopropylphenol degradation in strain Rhodococcus sp. D-6

Isoprocarb (IPC), a widely used carbamate insecticide, causes environmental contamination and poses risks to humans and ecosystems. Rhodococcus sp. D-6, capable of utilizing IPC as the sole growth substrate, was isolated by our lab. Strain D-6 initiates IPC degradation through ester bond hydrolysis by the hydrolase IpcH, yielding 2-isopropylphenol (IPP). In this study, the catabolic pathway of IPP in strain D-6 was elucidated, and the ipp gene cluster responsible for its degradation was predicted by transcriptomic analysis. Key genes, including a novel two-component IPP monooxygenase gene ippA1A2 and a 2-isopropylhydroquinone dioxygenase gene ippB, are responsible for the successive conversion of IPP, resulting in the ring cleavage of IPP. IppA1, a group D flavin-dependent monooxygenase, along with its reductase component IppA2, hydroxylates IPP to 2-isopropylhydroquinone using reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) as cofactors. The optimal molar ratio of IppA1 to IppA2 was 3:1. The apparent Km and kcat values of IppA1 for IPP were 60.52 ± 1.27 µM and 70.07 ± 0.85 s−1, respectively. IppB, an extradiol dioxygenase, catalyzes 2-isopropylhydroquinone ring cleavage to generate 2-isopropyl-4-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde. The apparent Km and kcat values of IppB for 2-isopropylhydroquinone were 29.07 ± 1.54 μM and 147.65 ± 1.92 s−1, respectively. This study provides critical insights into the molecular mechanisms of IPP degradation, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of IPC degradation.