[1] The Genome Taxonomy Database considers it a strain of Paenarthrobacter ureafaciens following a 2016 reclassification.

A few newer strains have been created by growing the original KI72 in different conditions, forcing it to adapt.

Instead of being a completely novel enzyme, it appears to be a member of the N-terminal nucleophile (N-tn) hydrolase family.

Susumu Ohno proposed that it had come about from the combination of a gene-duplication event with a frameshift mutation.

More importantly, one of the enzymes involved was produced by a frame-shift mutation that completely scrambled existing genetic code data.

This is seen as a good example of how mutations easily can provide the raw material for evolution by natural selection.

[18][19][20][21] A 1995 paper showed that scientists have also been able to induce another species of bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, to evolve the capability to break down the same nylon byproducts in a laboratory by forcing them to live in an environment with no other source of nutrients.