A bacterium that degrades and assimilates poly(ethylene terephthalate)

TLDR

Plastic pollution is widespread, and certain bacteria isolated from recycling facilities can degrade and metabolize plastic. The study demonstrates that specialized bacteria can biodegrade plastics, suggesting a viable bioremediation strategy. The authors isolate Ideonella sakaiensis from a bottle‑recycling facility and identify its two‑enzyme PET‑hydrolyzing pathway. Ideonella sakaiensis degrades PET via two enzymes, producing basic monomers that support bacterial growth. Yoshida et al., Science, this issue p.

Abstract

Some bacteria think plastic is fantastic Bacteria isolated from outside a bottle-recycling facility can break down and metabolize plastic. The proliferation of plastics in consumer products, from bottles to clothing, has resulted in the release of countless tons of plastics into the environment. Yoshida et al. show how the biodegradation of plastics by specialized bacteria could be a viable bioremediation strategy (see the Perspective by Bornscheuer). The new species, Ideonella sakaiensis , breaks down the plastic by using two enzymes to hydrolyze PET and a primary reaction intermediate, eventually yielding basic building blocks for growth. Science , this issue p. 1196 ; see also p. 1154