Genomic Features and Antimicrobial Activity of <i>Phaeobacter inhibens</i> Strains from Marine Biofilms

Members of the genus <i>Phaeobacter</i> are widely distributed in the marine environment and are known for their ability to produce tropodithietic acid (TDA). Studies investigating the genomic and metabolic features of <i>Phaeobacter</i> strains from marine biofilms are spars...

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Main Authors: Han Cui, Jie Lu, Wei Ding, Weipeng Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Marine Drugs
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/22/11/492
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author Han Cui
Jie Lu
Wei Ding
Weipeng Zhang
author_facet Han Cui
Jie Lu
Wei Ding
Weipeng Zhang
author_sort Han Cui
collection DOAJ
description Members of the genus <i>Phaeobacter</i> are widely distributed in the marine environment and are known for their ability to produce tropodithietic acid (TDA). Studies investigating the genomic and metabolic features of <i>Phaeobacter</i> strains from marine biofilms are sparse. Here, we analyze the complete genomes of 18 <i>Phaeobacter</i> strains isolated from biofilms on subtidal stones, with the aim of determining their potential to synthesize secondary metabolites. Based on whole-genome comparison and average nucleotide identity calculation, the isolated bacteria are classified as novel strains of <i>Phaeobacter inhibens</i>. Further analysis reveals a total of 153 biosynthetic gene clusters, which are assigned to 32 gene cluster families with low similarity to previously published ones. Complete TDA clusters are identified in 14 of the 18 strains, while in the other 4 strains the TDA clusters are rather incomplete and scattered across different chromosome and plasmid locations. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that their presence or absence may be potentially attributed to horizontal gene transfer. High-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis demonstrates the production of TDA in all the examined strains. Furthermore, the <i>Phaeobacter</i> strains have strong antibacterial activity against the pathogenic strain <i>Vibrio owensii</i> ems001, which is associated with acute hepatopancreatic necrosis in South American white shrimp. Altogether, this study ameliorates our knowledge of marine biofilm-associated <i>Phaeobacter</i> and offers new avenues for exploiting marine antimicrobial agents.
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spelling doaj-art-5bec3149e6214e62a2f7301acbd820102025-08-20T02:04:58ZengMDPI AGMarine Drugs1660-33972024-10-01221149210.3390/md22110492Genomic Features and Antimicrobial Activity of <i>Phaeobacter inhibens</i> Strains from Marine BiofilmsHan Cui0Jie Lu1Wei Ding2Weipeng Zhang3MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, ChinaMOE Key Laboratory of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, ChinaMOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics & Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, ChinaMOE Key Laboratory of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, ChinaMembers of the genus <i>Phaeobacter</i> are widely distributed in the marine environment and are known for their ability to produce tropodithietic acid (TDA). Studies investigating the genomic and metabolic features of <i>Phaeobacter</i> strains from marine biofilms are sparse. Here, we analyze the complete genomes of 18 <i>Phaeobacter</i> strains isolated from biofilms on subtidal stones, with the aim of determining their potential to synthesize secondary metabolites. Based on whole-genome comparison and average nucleotide identity calculation, the isolated bacteria are classified as novel strains of <i>Phaeobacter inhibens</i>. Further analysis reveals a total of 153 biosynthetic gene clusters, which are assigned to 32 gene cluster families with low similarity to previously published ones. Complete TDA clusters are identified in 14 of the 18 strains, while in the other 4 strains the TDA clusters are rather incomplete and scattered across different chromosome and plasmid locations. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that their presence or absence may be potentially attributed to horizontal gene transfer. High-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis demonstrates the production of TDA in all the examined strains. Furthermore, the <i>Phaeobacter</i> strains have strong antibacterial activity against the pathogenic strain <i>Vibrio owensii</i> ems001, which is associated with acute hepatopancreatic necrosis in South American white shrimp. Altogether, this study ameliorates our knowledge of marine biofilm-associated <i>Phaeobacter</i> and offers new avenues for exploiting marine antimicrobial agents.https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/22/11/492marine biofilms<i>Phaeobacter inhibens</i>antimicrobial activity
spellingShingle Han Cui
Jie Lu
Wei Ding
Weipeng Zhang
Genomic Features and Antimicrobial Activity of <i>Phaeobacter inhibens</i> Strains from Marine Biofilms
Marine Drugs
marine biofilms
<i>Phaeobacter inhibens</i>
antimicrobial activity
title Genomic Features and Antimicrobial Activity of <i>Phaeobacter inhibens</i> Strains from Marine Biofilms
title_full Genomic Features and Antimicrobial Activity of <i>Phaeobacter inhibens</i> Strains from Marine Biofilms
title_fullStr Genomic Features and Antimicrobial Activity of <i>Phaeobacter inhibens</i> Strains from Marine Biofilms
title_full_unstemmed Genomic Features and Antimicrobial Activity of <i>Phaeobacter inhibens</i> Strains from Marine Biofilms
title_short Genomic Features and Antimicrobial Activity of <i>Phaeobacter inhibens</i> Strains from Marine Biofilms
title_sort genomic features and antimicrobial activity of i phaeobacter inhibens i strains from marine biofilms
topic marine biofilms
<i>Phaeobacter inhibens</i>
antimicrobial activity
url https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/22/11/492
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