Biodegradation of the endocrine-disrupting compound bisphenol F by <i>Sphingobium yanoikuyae</i> DN12

Bisphenol F (BPF) is an emerging environmental pollutant widely present in surface water and wastewater systems. Microbial activity is crucial in driving its degradation, offering a potential avenue for mitigating its environmental impact. Although the degradation pathway for BPF has been identified in various bacteria, the biodegradation mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we isolated a highly efficient BPF-degrading strain of <i>Sphingobium yanoikuyae</i> DN12, which could utilize BPF as the sole carbon and energy source for growth, from a river sediment in Anhui Province, China. Through ultra-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS) analysis, we found that oxidation and hydrolysis are key steps for BPF biodegradation. Utilizing whole-genome sequencing, comparative transcriptomics analysis, and biochemical identification, a gene cluster <i>bpf</i> was identified to be involved in BPF degradation. BpfAB is a two-component oxidoreductase responsible for converting BPF to 4,4'-dihydroxybenzophenone (DHBP). BpfC is a Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase responsible for converting DHBP to 4-hydroxyphenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate (HPHB). Isotope tracing demonstrated that the oxygen atom incorporated by BpfAB originates from water, whereas that incorporated by BpfC derives from molecular oxygen (O₂). BpfD is an <i>α/β</i> hydrolase responsible for converting HPHB to 4-hydroxybenzoate and 1,4-hydroquinone. Analysis of the taxonomic and habitat of 325 prokaryotic genomes revealed that BpfA-like homologs are predominantly found in the phylum <i>Pseudomonadota</i>, primarily inhabiting soil and aquatic environments. This study enhances our understanding of the biodegradation mechanism of BPF and provides guidance for the effective remediation of BPF-contaminated environments.IMPORTANCEBisphenol F (BPF) is a widely used alternative to bisphenol A and poses a growing threat to ecosystems and human health due to its environmental persistence and endocrine-disrupting effects. Although microbial degradation pathways for BPF have been reported, the key enzymes involved and their catalytic mechanisms remain unclear. This work reports the isolation of a <i>Sphingobium</i> strain capable of mineralizing BPF and the genetic basis for the catabolic pathway. Three enzymes-a two-component oxidoreductase, a Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase, and an <i>α/β</i> hydrolase-were biochemically characterized and shown to catalyze the three critical steps in BPF degradation. These findings provide insights into the biochemical processes involved in the microbial degradation of BPF.