Effect of the Structural and Regulatory Heat Shock Proteins on Hydrocarbon Degradation by Rhodococcus pyridinivorans 5Ap

Abstract

The role of heat shock proteins in ability of Rhodococcus pyridinivorans 5Ap to degrade hydrocarbons at different temperatures was studied. The presence of the Сpn60.1–Сpn10 chaperons and of the Hrc regulatory protein was found to be required for hexadecane degradation at 42°C. When genetic determinants responsible for synthesis of these proteins were inactivated, the efficiency of hexadecane degradation decreased 1.7 and 2.7 times, respectively. Mutations in the cpn and hrcA genes did not affect the viability of R. pyridinivorans 5Ар: the original strain and the mutants exhibited the same growth rates at all temperatures in the minimal medium with succinate and in full-strength medium. In the absence of the Сpn60.1–Сpn10 heat shock proteins, the growth rate at 42°C decreased in the case of minimal agar media with kerosene, diesel fuel, acetone, naphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene, or phenanthrene.