Whole-Genome Sequencing and Biosynthetic Gene Cluster Analysis of Novel Entomopathogenic Bacteria <i>Xenorhabdus thailandensis</i> ALN 7.1 and ALN 11.5

<i>Xenorhabdus</i> species are entomopathogenic bacteria that live in symbiosis with <i>Steinernema</i> nematodes and produce a wide range of bioactive secondary metabolites. This study aimed to characterize the complete genomes and biosynthetic potential of two novel <i&g...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biology
Main Authors: Wipanee Meesil, Jiranun Ardpairin, Liam K. R. Sharkey, Sacha J. Pidot, Apichat Vitta, Aunchalee Thanwisai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/8/905
Description
Summary:<i>Xenorhabdus</i> species are entomopathogenic bacteria that live in symbiosis with <i>Steinernema</i> nematodes and produce a wide range of bioactive secondary metabolites. This study aimed to characterize the complete genomes and biosynthetic potential of two novel <i>Xenorhabdus</i> isolates, ALN7.1 and ALN11.5, recovered from <i>Steinernema lamjungense</i> collected in Northern Thailand. High-quality genome assemblies were generated, and phylogenomic comparisons confirmed that both isolates belonged to the recently described species <i>Xenorhabdus thailandensis</i>. The assembled genomes were approximately 4.02 Mb in size, each comprising a single circular chromosome with a GC content of 44.6% and encoding ~3800 protein-coding sequences, consistent with the features observed in other members of the genus. Biosynthetic gene cluster (BGCs) prediction using antiSMASH identified 19 BGCs in ALN7.1 and 18 in ALN11.5, including known clusters for holomycin, pyrrolizixenamide, hydrogen cyanide, and gamexpeptide C, along with several uncharacterized clusters, suggesting unexplored metabolic potential. Comparative analyses highlighted conserved yet strain-specific BGC profiles, indicating possible diversification within the species. These results provide genomic insights into <i>X. thailandensis</i> ALN7.1 and ALN11.5 and support their potential as valuable sources for the discovery of novel natural products and for future biotechnological applications.
ISSN:2079-7737