4-chlorobiphenyl, a PCB and environmental pollutant, is degraded by bacteria e.g., Pseudoxanthomonas spadix a source of carbon and energy. 4-Chlorobiphenyl degradation in Pseudoxanthomonas spadix begins with the oxidation of 4-chlorobiphenyl by biphenyl 2,3-dioxygenase small subunit (BphA2) to form an intermediate compound, cis-2,3-Dihydro-2,3-dihydroxy-4'-chlorobiphenyl. This intermediate is then dehydrogenated to 2,3-Dihydroxy-4'-chlorobiphenyl, by 2,3-dihydroxy-2,3-dihydrophenylpropionate dehydrogenase. Subsequently, the compound is converted by 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl-1,2-dioxygenase to form 2-Hydroxy-6-oxo-6-(4'-chlorophenyl)-hexa-2,4-dienoate, that is further degraded to produce compounds such as pyruvate and acetyl-COA which are essential for glycolysis and citrate cycle.

4-Chlorobiphenyl degradation References