Whole genome sequence of two Rathayibacter toxicus strains reveals a tunicamycin biosynthetic cluster similar to Streptomyces chartreusis

PLoS One. 2017 Aug 10;12(8):e0183005. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183005. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Rathayibacter toxicus is a forage grass associated Gram-positive bacterium of major concern to food safety and agriculture. This species is listed by USDA-APHIS as a plant pathogen select agent because it produces a tunicamycin-like toxin that is lethal to livestock and may be vectored by nematode species native to the U.S. The complete genomes of two strains of R. toxicus, including the type strain FH-79, were sequenced and analyzed in comparison with all available, complete R. toxicus genomes. Genome sizes ranged from 2,343,780 to 2,394,755 nucleotides, with 2079 to 2137 predicted open reading frames; all four strains showed remarkable synteny over nearly the entire genome, with only a small transposed region. A cluster of genes with similarity to the tunicamycin biosynthetic cluster from Streptomyces chartreusis was identified. The tunicamycin gene cluster (TGC) in R. toxicus contained 14 genes in two transcriptional units, with all of the functional elements for tunicamycin biosynthesis present. The TGC had a significantly lower GC content (52%) than the rest of the genome (61.5%), suggesting that the TGC may have originated from a horizontal transfer event. Further analysis indicated numerous remnants of other potential horizontal transfer events are present in the genome. In addition to the TGC, genes potentially associated with carotenoid and exopolysaccharide production, bacteriocins and secondary metabolites were identified. A CRISPR array is evident. There were relatively few plant-associated cell-wall hydrolyzing enzymes, but there were numerous secreted serine proteases that share sequence homology to the pathogenicity-associated protein Pat-1 of Clavibacter michiganensis. Overall, the genome provides clear insight into the possible mechanisms for toxin production in R. toxicus, providing a basis for future genetic approaches.

MeSH terms

  • Base Composition
  • Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats
  • Genome, Bacterial*
  • Micrococcaceae / genetics*
  • Multigene Family*
  • Phylogeny
  • Streptomyces / genetics*
  • Tunicamycin / genetics*

Substances

  • Tunicamycin

Grants and funding

Funding for this work was from the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service appropriated project 8044-22000-040-00D to DGL, WLS, and EER. No grant website available. Funding was also received from two 2008 Farm Bill grants, Section 10201 administered through the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: 13-8130-0247-CA and 14-8130-0367-CA to BKS, TDM, DGL, and WLS. Grant website is http://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/farm-bill/!ut/p/z1/04_iUlDg4tKPAFJABpSA0fpReYllmemJJZn5eYk5-hH6kVFm8T7-Js6GTsEGQNrVycDRNcjc19XV08jd2VTfSz8Kv4KC7EBFAJkifn4!/.