Corallococcus senghenyddensis sp. nov., a myxobacterium with potent antimicrobial activity

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Genomics
• Natural Product Discovery

Background:

• Corallococcus species are abundant myxobacteria known for producing diverse secondary metabolites.
• Recent years have seen a surge in the characterization of new Corallococcus species.
• These bacteria are a rich source of bioactive compounds with potential pharmaceutical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize a novel Corallococcus strain from soil.
• To evaluate the predatory and antimicrobial activities of the novel strain against pathogenic bacteria and fungi.
• To determine the genomic features and potential of the strain for natural product discovery.

Main Methods:

• Isolation of Corallococcus spp. RDP092CA using Candida albicans as prey.
• Genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to determine novelty.
• Predation assays against pathogenic bacteria and yeast.
• Biofilm inhibition and dispersion assays.
• Antimicrobial peptide analysis.

Main Results:

• The RDP092CA genome is 8.5 Mb with 71.4% G+C content, indicating a novel species.
• The strain demonstrated predatory activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Citrobacter freundii, and Staphylococcus aureus.
• Significant antibiofilm activity was observed against all tested bacteria, and variable antifungal activity against Candida species.
• A specific antimicrobial peptide (RDP092CA_120) showed potent antibiofilm effects at low concentrations.

Conclusions:

• Strain RDP092CA represents a novel species, proposed as Corallococcus senghenyddensis sp. nov.
• The species exhibits promising broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities.
• This discovery highlights the potential of novel Corallococcus species as a source for new therapeutic agents.