Epilithic Biofilms in Lake Baikal: Screening and Diversity of PKS and NRPS Genes in the Genomes of Heterotrophic Bacteria.

Epilithic Biofilms in Lake Baikal: Screening and Diversity of PKS and NRPS Genes in the Genomes of Heterotrophic Bacteria. Pol J Microbiol. 2018;67(4):501-516 Authors: Sukhanova E, Zimens E, Kaluzhnaya O, Parfenova V, Belykh O Abstract A collection of heterotrophic bacteria consisting of 167 strains was obtained from microbial communities of biofilms formed on solid substrates in the littoral zone of Lake Baikal. Based on the analysis of 16S rRNA gene fragments, the isolates were classified to four phyla: Proteobacteria , Firmicutes , Actinobacteria , and Bacteroidetes . To assess their biotechnological potential, bacteria were screened for the presence of PKS (polyketide synthase) and NRPS (non-ribosomal peptide synthetases) genes. PKS genes were detected in 41 strains (25%) and NRPS genes in 73 (43%) strains by PCR analysis. The occurrence of PKS genes in members of the phylum Firmicutes (the genera Bacillus and Paenibacillus ) was 34% and NRPS genes were found in 78%. In Proteobacteria , PKS and NRPS genes were found in 20% and 32%, and in 22% and 22% of Actinobacteria , respectively. For further analysis of PKS and NRPS genes, six Bacillus and Paenibacillus strains with antagonistic activity were selected and underwent phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA genes. The identification of PKS and NRPS genes in the strains investigated was demonstrated among the homologues the genes involved in the biosynthesis of antibiotics (bacillaene,...
Source: Polish Journal of Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Tags: Pol J Microbiol Source Type: research