Abstract: What is described herein refers to isolated nucleic acid fragments encoding an oxygenase subunit (StyA) and a reductase subunit (StyB), wherein the polypeptide encoded for by the nucleotide sequence for the oxygenase subunit (StyA) and the nucleotide sequence for the reductase subunit (StyB) have activity towards chiral arylsulfides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the biocatalytic synthesis of substituted and unsubstituted phenylacetic acids and ketones from styrenes and bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using enzymes of microbial styrene degradation in a whole-cell sensor, as well as a kit for the biocatalytic synthesis of substituted and unsubstituted phenylacetic acids and ketones containing a whole-cell catalyst and the use of the method, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) providing at least one type of whole-cell catalyst, containing genes which code for the enzymes of styrene degradation and are under the functional control of a regulatable promoter, in an aqueous component, b) activating the whole-cell catalyst with an inducer and/or an activator, leading to expression of the gene, c) bringing the activated whole-cell catalyst into contact with a substrate, d) isolating the reaction products produced, which are advantageously not further metabolized by the whole-cell cat and advantageously accumulat