A screening method for cytochrome P-450 organic peroxidase activity and application to hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial populations
A method to detect the expression of hemoproteins with organic hydroperoxide reducing activity was developed to screen bacterial populations isolated from heavy oils and oil sands. The method is based on the activity of cytochrome P-450 as catalyst in the reduction of cumene hydroperoxide by artificial electron donors. There was no cross-reactivity with true peroxidases involved in the reduction of hydrogen peroxide. Cross-reactivity with catalase could be eliminated with appropriate inhibitors but did not normally interfere with the detection method. A preliminary screen resulted in the isolation of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and a range of Gram-positive bacteria with organic peroxidase activity. Carbon monoxide difference spectra of cell-free extracts of the isolates revealed the presence of a hydrocarbon-inducible cytochrome P-450 in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and in coryneform and actinomycete bacteria. A CO-binding cytochrome of unknown type with a Soret absorption maximum at 424 nm and cumene hydroperoxidase activity was also detected in some strains.