Classification of strain CCM 4446T as Rhodococcus degradans sp nov.

Strain CCM 4446(T), with notable biodegradation capabilities, was investigated in this study in order to elucidate its taxonomic position. Chemotaxonomic analyses of quinones, polar lipids, mycolic acids, polyamines and the diamino acid of the cell-wall peptidoglycan corresponded with characteristics of the genus Rhodococcus. Phylogenetic analysis, based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence, assigned strain CCM 4446(T) to the genus Rhodococcus and placed it in the Rhodococcus erythropolis 16S rRNA gene Glade. Further analysis of catA and gyrB gene sequences, automated ribotyping with EcoRl restriction endonuclease, whole-cell protein profiling, DNA-DNA hybridization and extensive biotyping enabled differentiation of strain CCM 4446(T) from all phylogenetically closely related species, i.e., Rhodococcus baikonurensis, Rhodococcus qingshengii, Rhodococcus erythropolis and Rhodococcus globerulus. The results obtained show that the strain investigated represents a novel species within the genus Rhodococcus, for which the name Rhodococcus degradans sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is CCM 4446(T) (=LMG 28633(T)).