CYTOCHROME P-450 GENE CLUSTER FROM RHODOCOCCUS RUBER AND USES THEREOF IN ETHER FUEL CLEAVAGE

摘要

The present invention is directed to a cytochrome P-450 gene cluster involved in the cleavage of ether fuel additives. More especially, the present invention pertains to the nucleic acid sequence of genes responsible for the biodegradation of ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE) in Rhodococcus ruber, and to several applications ensuing from the knowledge of this sequence, such as probes and biosensors for detecting a pollution by an ether fuel, and for assessing the potential of a contaminated soil to cleave said ether fuel. The invention also pertains to methods for rendering a cell able to cleave ether fuel additives, and to recombinant bacteria useful for ether fuel depollution of a contaminated effluent.