Whole-genome sequence-based analysis of the Paenibacillus aquistagni strain DK1, a polyethylene-degrading bacterium isolated from landfill

AbstractPolyethylene-degrading bacteria have been emerging as a rational and safe alternative in bioremediation strategies. In this context, somePaenibacillus species produce enzymes involved in the biodegradation of pollutants. Among the enzymes involved in the biodegradation of polyethylene, the alkane hydroxylases, encoded byalkB homologous genes, play a key role in this process. Therefore, this study aimed to identify and perform a genomic investigation of the first polyethylene-degradingPaenibacillus sp. strain, named DK1. The whole-genome sequence-based analysis revealed that the DK1 strain belonged to the speciesPaenibacillus aquistagni and shared a total of 4327 CDSs withP. aquistagni strain 11. On the other hand, a comparison of the gene clusters showed that DK1 strain harbored a genetic context surrounding thealkB-like gene similar to that found inPseudomonas sp. strains. The percentage of similarity ranged from 47.88 to 99.76% among all complete amino acid sequences of AlkB-like proteins analyzed. Nevertheless, the predicted amino acid sequences of AlkB-like contained typical structural motifs of alkane hydroxylases, such as His boxes and the HYG motif. These findings associated with the previously reported phenotypic results highlighted the potential ofP. aquistagni strain DK1 to biodegrade polyethylene. Therefore, further studies focusing on the biochemical and structural properties of the AlkB-like protein fromPaenibacillus may also contribute to the development...
Source: World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology - Category: Microbiology Source Type: research