Isolation and Characterization of Cytochrome P450-Producing Bacteria from Various Environments

Eight strains of cytochrome P450 (P450)-producing bacteria were isolated from M9 medium containing a P450-inducer as the sole carbon source from the environment. Strains EP1 to EP6 utilizing 2-ethoxyphenol as the sole carbon source were isolated from the soil of a weed-filled field, the water of a paddy field, laboratory effluent, domestic effluent and river water. Strain MP1 utilizing 2-methoxyphenol and strain CP1 utilizing camphor were isolated from oil-polluted soil and the soil of a weed-filled field, respectively. This suggests the distribution of P450-producing bacteria in the environment. Metyrapone (2-methyl-1, 2-di-3-pyridyl-1-propanone) inhibited the growth of P450-producing bacteria on the media containing a P450-inducer as the sole carbon source, strongly suggesting that the P450 is involved in the catabolism of the inducer.