Whole-genome analysis of the dominant bacterium Dysgonomonas macrotermitis in the hindgut of Macrotermes barneyi

Abstract:

[Objective] The bacteria of the genus Dysgonomonas are the second dominant microbes in the hindgut of Macrotermes barney. In the previous work, we isolated a novel bacterium from the hindgut of M. barneyi and designated it as Dysgonomonas macrotermitis. To further understand the roles of the bacteria in termite, it is necessary to obtain the genome sequence of D. macrotermitis. [Methods] The whole genome was sequenced by Illumina MiSeq. The protein sequences from the whole genome were annotated and compared with those in the Cluster of Orthologous Groups of proteins (COG) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases by BLASTp. Several potential lignocellulose-degrading enzymes were identified. [Results] The genome sequence is composed of 4655756 bp with G+C content of 38.54%. This whole genome sequencing has been deposited in DDBJ under the accession numbers BBXL01000001 to BBXL01000078. Bioinformatic analysis shows that strain harbored genes encoding important enzymes with potential to degrade lignocellulose. Also, it had a complete cellulose degradation pathway where acetate and lactate were end-products. Genes possibly involved in nitrogen metabolism and defending against pathogens were also identified. [Conclusion] Our findings provide basis for the understanding the roles of hindgut bacteria contributing to termite host lignocellulose degradation.

Key words:Macrotermes barneyi;Dysgonomonas macrotermitis;whole-genome sequencing;lignocellulose degrading