Bacterium and enzymes therefrom for bioremediation

The present invention relates to the bioremediation of 2,4-Dinitroanisole. In particular, the present invention relates to a strain of Nocardioides sp., nucleic acids and polypeptides isolated therefrom, which can degrade 2,4-Dinitroanisole. Specifically, Nocardioides sp. strain JS1661 contains a hydrolase enzyme that is capable of converting 2,4- Dinitroanisole to 2,4-dinitrophenol. Accordingly, the present invention provides isolated polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding the enzyme, nucleic acid constructs comprising these, and genetically modified cells expressing the enzyme, or parts thereof. The present invention also provides compositions comprising the aforementioned, including comprising the Nocardioides sp. strain JS1661, and use of the compositions, and the like for bioremediation of 2,4-Dinitroanisole. Methods of detecting 2,4-Dinitroanisole in samples are also provided as well as kits comprising the aforementioned components and for use in the aforementioned methods.