Saccharopolyspora soli sp. nov., isolated from Northern Cyprus soil

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Taxonomy
• Genomics

Background:

• Actinobacteria are crucial soil microorganisms with diverse metabolic capabilities.
• The genus Saccharopolyspora comprises Gram-positive, aerobic bacteria known for producing bioactive compounds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize a novel actinobacterial isolate from Northern Cyprus.
• To determine the taxonomic placement of the isolate within the Saccharopolyspora genus using a polyphasic approach.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and cultivation of strain K220^T from soil.
• 16S rRNA gene sequencing for phylogenetic analysis.
• In silico DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity (ANI) calculations.
• Chemotaxonomic analysis (respiratory quinones, fatty acids, polar lipids).
• Genome sequencing and analysis of biosynthetic gene clusters.

Main Results:

• Strain K220^T is a Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile actinobacterium.
• Phylogenetic analysis showed close relatedness to Saccharopolyspora maritima, S. kobensis, and S. hirsuta.
• Low in silico DNA-DNA hybridization (22.1–31.2%) and ANI values (76.0–83.16%) supported novelty.
• The DNA G+C content was 68.3 mol%.
• Predominant respiratory quinone was MK-9(H₄) and the major fatty acid was iso-C_16:0.
• The genome contains 24 predicted biosynthetic gene clusters.

Conclusions:

• Strain K220^T represents a novel species of the genus Saccharopolyspora.
• The proposed name for the novel species is Saccharopolyspora soli sp. nov.
• The type strain is K220^T (JCM 33912^T = KCTC 49395^T).