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Bacillus cytotoxicus Genomics: Chromosomal Diversity and Plasmidome Versatility
Nancy Fayad1,2, Klèma Marcel Koné1, Annika Gillis1
1Laboratory of Food and Environmental Microbiology, Earth and Life Institute, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|January 7, 2022
Summary
Bacillus cytotoxicus, a thermotolerant bacterium, exhibits significant genomic diversity. Mobile genetic elements like Insertion Sequences and bacteriocins play a crucial role in its genome plasticity and potential horizontal gene transfer.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
Background:
- Bacillus cytotoxicus is a thermotolerant species within the Bacillus cereus group.
- This species, known for the cytk-1 gene, has shown intra-species diversity.
- Previous studies indicated variations in clades, RAPD patterns, and plasmid profiles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genomic diversity of Bacillus cytotoxicus.
- To analyze chromosomal and plasmidial variations using whole genome sequencing.
- To understand the role of mobile genetic elements in B. cytotoxicus genome plasticity.
Main Methods:
- Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of six representative Bacillus cytotoxicus isolates.
- Bioinformatic analysis of chromosomal and plasmidial DNA.
- Identification and characterization of mobile genetic elements (MGEs).
Main Results:
- Four sequenced strains matched existing genomic clades (A and D); two formed new branches.
- Three large plasmids were putatively conjugative, and three small ones were potentially mobilizable, carrying bacteriocin genes.
- Mobile genetic elements, including Insertion Sequences (IS) and Bacillus cereus repeats (bcr), significantly contributed to diversity.
Conclusions:
- Mobile genetic elements are key drivers of Bacillus cytotoxicus genome plasticity.
- These elements likely play a role in horizontal gene transfer within the species.
- Further research into MGEs can elucidate B. cytotoxicus evolution and adaptation.
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