Comparative genomic analysis of < em > Periweissella < /em > and the characterization of novel motile species

This study aimed to determine the phylogenetic relationship between Periweissella and the two closest genera, Weissella and Furfurilactobacillus, by the phylogenetic analysis and calculation of (core gene) pairwise average amino acid identity. Targeted genomic analysis showed that fructose bisphosphate aldolase was only present in the genome of Pw. cryptocerci. Mannitol dehydrogenase was found in genomes of Pw. beninensis, Pw. fabaria, and Pw. fabalis. Untargeted genomic analysis identified the presence of flagellar genes in Periweissella but not in other closely related genera. Phenotypes related to carbohydrate fermentation and motility matched the genotypes. Motility genes were organized in a single operon and the proteins shared a high amino acid similarity in the genus Periweissella. The relatively low similarity of motility operons between Periweissella and other motile lactobacilli indicated the acquisition of motility by the ancestral species. Our findings facilitate the phylogenetic, genetic, and phenotypic understanding of the genus Periweissella. IMPORTANCE The genus Periweissella is a heterofermentative genus in the Lactobacillaceae which includes predominantly isolates from cocoa fermentations in tropical climates. Despite the relevance of the genus in food fermentations, genetic and physiological properties of the genus are poorly characterized and genome sequences became available only after 2020. This study characterized strains of the genus by functional geno...
Source: Applied and Environmental Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Authors: Source Type: research