Mechanisms of efficient polyacrylamide degradation: From multi-omics analysis to structural characterization of two amidohydrolases

Polyacrylamide (PAM) is a high molecular weight polymer with extensive applications. However, inefficient natural degradation of PAM results in its environmental accumulation. Here, using multi-omics analysis, we constructed the PAM biodegradation pathway in Klebsiella sp. PCX, an efficient PAM-degrading bacterium. Subsequently, two unclassified amidohydrolases (PCX00451 and PCX04581) were identified as key factors for rapid PAM biodegradation, both of which possessed much higher hydrolysis efficiency for PAM than for small molecule amide compounds. Besides, crystal structures of PCX00451 and PCX04581 were solved. Both two amidohydrolases were consisted with a twisted triosephosphateisomerase (TIM)-barrel and a smaller β-sandwich domain. And their binding pockets were in the conserved metal center of TIM-barrel domain. Moreover, Asp267 of PCX00451 and Asp282 of PCX04581 were examined as active sites for acid/base catalysis. Our research characterized the molecular mechanisms of two efficient amidohydrolases, providing theoretical basis and valuable tools for PAM bioremediation. •The efficient PAM degradation pathway was constructed by multi-omics analysis.•Two amidohydrolases were identified and proved for efficient PAM biodegradation.•Both two amidohydrolases folded with a TIM-barrel and a smaller β-sandwich domain.•Asp267 of PCX00451 and Asp282 of PCX04581 were catalytic residues.