Intradiol pathway of para-cresol conversion by Rhodococcus opacus 1CP

The growth of Rhodococcus opacus 1CP in medium with different concentrations of p‐cresol as the sole source of carbon and energy was studied. It was shown that the optimal concentration of p‐cresol was 600 mg/L. The ability of this strain to transform practically all amounts of p‐cresol to 4‐methylcatechol followed by its utilization through ortho‐pathway was shown. New enzymes (4‐methylcatechol 1,2‐dioxygenase, catechol 1,2‐dioxygenase, and methylmuconate cycloisomerase) were purified to homogeneity and characterized. Based on the data obtained on p‐cresol degradation, formation of intermediates, and the enzymes participating in this pathway, we suggest an ortho‐pathway of p‐cresol degradation by R. opacus 1CP through 4‐methylcatechol and 3‐methyl‐cis, cis‐muconate.