Carboxylesterase, a de-esterification enzyme, catalyzes the degradation of chlorimuron-ethyl in Rhodococcus erythropolis D310-1.

•The genome sequence of chlorimuron-ethyl-degrading Rhodococcus erythropolis D310-1 was determined.•Gene clusters participating in chlorimuron-ethyl catabolism in D310-1 were speculated.•The carE gene responsible for chlorimuron-ethyl degradation was identified and characterized.•The carboxylesterase for de-esterification of chlorimuron-ethyl was first reported.