Phylogenetic analysis reveals diversity in glycan biosynthesis in "<i>Candidatus</i> Accumulibacter".

ABSTRACT: Although biofilms are widespread in nature, the ecological roles and compositional diversity of the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) forming these structures remain poorly understood. Here, we apply a bottom-up genomic approach by investigating the biosynthetic potential for glycan precursors in the genus "Candidatus Accumulibacter", with a focus on assessing the intra-genus variability. Within a curated set of 61 "Ca. Accumulibacter" MAGs, our analysis revealed a dichotomy in glycan precursors between a conserved core group of 9 nucleotide-sugars and a variable accessory set of 12 nucleotide-sugars, out of 50 nucleotide-sugars tested. The core nucleotide-sugars in "Ca. Accumulibacter" are related to nucleotide-sugars also found to be widely distributed across

SUBMITTER: Eerden SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12925313 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature