Identification of 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol production in the genus Chromobacterium

The compound 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is primarily produced by Pseudomonas spp. DAPG plays an important role in the biocontrol disease suppressing activity of Pseudomonas spp. In the current study, we report the discovery of the DAPG biosynthetic cluster in strains of Chromobacterium vaccinii isolated from Brazilian aquatic environments and the distribution of the biosynthetic cluster in the Chromobacterium genus. Phylogenetic analysis of the phlD protein suggests the biosynthetic cluster probably entered the genus of Chromobacterium after a horizontal gene transfer event with a member of the Pseudomonas fluorescens group. We were able to detect trace amounts of DAPG in wild type cultures and confirm the function of the cluster with heterologous expression in Escherichia coli. In addition, we identified and verified the presence of other secondary metabolites in these strains. We also confirmed the ability of C. vaccinii strains to produce bioactive pigment violacein and bioactive cyclic depsipeptide FR900359. Both compounds have been reported to have antimicrobial and insecticidal activities. These compounds suggest strains of C. vaccinii should be further explored for their potential as biocontrol agents.