<i>Microcystis</i> plasmids: the unexplored portion of the mobilome and the presence of potential phage-like plasmids.

ABSTRACT: While resequencing Microcystis aeruginosa (PCC7806) and its nontoxigenic mutant (PCC7806 ΔmcyB), we discovered identical unreported plasmids in both strains. These strains were separated in culture over 25 years ago, resulting in sequence divergence among their chromosomes. RNA-seq data demonstrated these plasmids were transcriptionally active during chemostat growth. Moreover, in situ metatranscriptomes from Lake Erie revealed genes like those on the PCC7806 plasmid were expressed in the environment. As we investigated plasmids in Microcystis, we found that M. aeruginosa NIES-298 also had a putatively conserved plasmid, but with phage-like features. To gain an understanding of the ecological relevance of these plasmids, we examined Lake Erie metatranscri

SUBMITTER: Stark GF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12510456 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature