Genome Streamlining, Plasticity, and Metabolic Versatility Distinguish Co-occurring Toxic and Nontoxic Cyanobacterial Strains of Microcoleus.

ABSTRACT: Harmful cyanobacterial bloom occurrences have increased worldwide due to climate change and eutrophication, causing nuisance and animal deaths. Species from the benthic cyanobacterial genus Microcoleus are ubiquitous and form thick mats in freshwater systems, such as rivers, that are sometimes toxic due to the production of potent neurotoxins (anatoxins). Anatoxin-producing (toxic) strains typically coexist with non-anatoxin-producing (nontoxic) strains in mats, although the reason for this is unclear. To determine the genetic mechanisms differentiating toxic and nontoxic Microcoleus, we sequenced and assembled genomes from 11 cultures and compared these to another 31 Microcoleus genomes. Average nucleotide identities (ANI) indicate that toxic and nontoxic strains are

SUBMITTER: Tee HS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8546630 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature