Genomic insights into specialized metabolism in the marine actinomycete Salinispora.

ABSTRACT: Comparative genomics is providing new opportunities to address the diversity and distributions of genes encoding the biosynthesis of specialized metabolites. An analysis of 119 genome sequences representing three closely related species of the marine actinomycete genus Salinispora reveals extraordinary biosynthetic diversity in the form of 176 distinct biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) of which only 24 have been linked to their products. Remarkably, more than half of the BGCs were observed in only one or two strains, suggesting they were acquired relatively recently in the evolutionary history of the genus. These acquired gene clusters are concentrated in specific genomic islands, which represent hot spots for BGC acquisition. While most BGCs are stable in terms of their chromosomal positi

SUBMITTER: Letzel AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5599359 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature