Transcriptome profiling of Microbacterium resistens MZT7 reveals mechanisms of 17?-estradiol response and biotransformation

17 beta-estradiol (E2) pollution has attracted much attention, and the existence of E2 poses certain risks to the environment and human health. However, the mechanism of microbial degradation of E2 remains unclear. In this study, the location of E2-degrading enzymes was investigated, and transcriptome analysis of Microbacterium resistens MZT7 (M. resistens MZT7) exposed to E2. The degradation of E2 by M. resistens MZT7 was via the biological action of E2-induced intracellular enzymes. With the RNA sequencing, we found 1109 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Among them, 773 genes were up-regulated and 336 genes were down-regulated. The results of the RNA sequencing indicated the DEGs were related to transport, metabolism, and stress response. Genes for transport, transmembrane transport, oxidoreductase activity, ATPase activity, transporter activity and quorum sensing were up-regulated. Genes for the tricarboxylic acid cycle, ribosome, oxidative phosphorylation and carbon metabolism were down-regulated. In addition, heterologous expression of one enzymes efficiently degraded E2. These findings provide some new insights into the molecular mechanism of biotransformation of E2 by M. resistens MZT7.

Automated summary

17-beta-estradiol (E2) pollution is a major concern due to its risks to the environment and human health. However, the mechanism of microbial degradation of E2 is not well understood. This study investigated the location of E2-degrading enzymes and conducted transcriptome analysis of Microbacterium resistens MZT7 (M. resistens MZT7) exposed to E2. The results revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to transport, metabolism, and stress response, providing new insights into the molecular mechanism of E2 biotransformation by M. resistens MZT7.