Connecting Algal Polysaccharide Degradation to Formaldehyde Detoxification

Formaldehyde is a toxic metabolite that is formed in large quantities during bacterial utilization of the methoxy sugar 6-O-methyl-D-galactose, an abundant monosaccharide in the red algal polysaccharide porphyran. Marine bacteria capable of metabolizing porphyran must therefore possess suitable detoxification systems for formaldehyde. We demonstrate here that detoxification of formaldehyde in the marine Flavobacterium Zobellia galactanivorans proceeds via the ribulose monophosphate pathway. Simultaneously, we show that the genes encoding the key enzymes of this pathway are important for maintaining high formaldehyde resistance. Additionally, these genes are upregulated in the presence of porphyran, allowing us to connect porphyran degradation to the detoxification of formed formaldehyde.

Automated summary

Marine bacteria Zobellia galactanivorans utilize the ribulose monophosphate pathway to detoxify formaldehyde, and the genes encoding key enzymes in this pathway are crucial for maintaining formaldehyde resistance.