Multiple novel membrane proteins involve phthalate ester degradation in

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are ubiquitous in the environment, and their microbial metabolism is associated with transport proteins. In this study, multiple novel membrane proteins were identified, revealing their pivotal role in PAEs degradation. Based on whole-genome and transcriptomic analyses, approximately 20 potential PAEs transport membrane proteins were predicted to be involved in PAEs degradation by IMPORTANCE: Phthalate esters (PAEs) are widely present in the environment, with carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic toxicity to the human body. The efficient microbial degradation of PAEs is urgent for eco-friendly bioremediation. In addition to PAE esterases, membrane proteins for PAE transport are also important for the microbial degradation of PAEs. However, few experimental reports on the membrane proteins involved in PAE transport, and specifically no studies regarding their underlying transport mechanisms, have been published. Therefore, investigation of the PAE transport mechanisms is crucial for understanding how PAEs enter and exit cells, and it contributes to identifying the rate-limiting steps in PAE degradation. It is conducive to revealing the role of membrane proteins in PAEs degradation, for improving PAE degradation efficiency via membrane protein engineering, or endowing other chassis cells with PAEs degradation capability via constructing membrane protein-esterase co-expressing strains.