Biodegradation of MTBE by Achromobacter xylosoxidans MCM1/1 induces synthesis of proteins that may be related to cell survival

The gasoline additive methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) can contaminate groundwater and soil. In order to eliminate it, several methods are being developed, among which bioremediation – that is, the addition of microbial cultures that can degrade the compound – holds promise. Our laboratory has identified Achromobacter xylosoxidans MCM1/1 as an MTBE-degrading bacterial strain. It degrades 78% of this chemical in 5 days. In this study we also analyze the effects of MTBE on the biology of A. xylosoxidans MCM1/1 and compare its proteomic profile after incubation with MTBE with that of unchallenged bacteria. The 2D proteomic analysis shows that the following four proteins are induced by MTBE: 50S ribosomal protein L10, amino acid-binding periplasmic protein, ATP synthase and endoribonuclease L. Characterizing the bacterial response to MTBE at the biochemical level identifies proteins that can be used by biocatalysts for soil and water bioremediation.