Insight into the metabolism of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) by biphenyl dioxygenases

► Pandoraea pnomenusa B356 biphenyl dioxygenase metabolizes DDT to generate two diastereoisomers. ► Burkholderia xenovorans LB400 biphenyl dioxygenase does not metabolize DDT. ► Residue Phe336 and Gly321 of LB400 dioxygenase are critical to prevent productive binding of DDT. ► Residue 267 and a segment comprised of residue 247-260 are likely involved in stereospecificity.