Unravelling the attributes of novel cyanobacteria Jacksonvillea sp. ISTCYN1 by draft genome sequencing

Filamentous cyanobacteria, Jacksonvillea sp. ISTCYN1 was isolated from agriculture field and cultured in BG-11 medium. This study, report the genome sequence of cyanobacteria Jacksonvillea thatto the best of our knowledgeis the firstgenome sequenceof thisgenus. The 5.7 MB draft genome sequence of this cyanobacterium contains 5134 protein-coding genes. The phylogenetic tree was constructed based on genome and Desertifilum sp. IPPAS B-1220 validated the closest relationship with Jacksonvillea sp. ISTCYN1. The growth of strain ISTCYN1 has been reported in the presence of different types of plastic when used as a sole carbon source. SEM analysis revealed biofilm formation by cyanobacterial strain ISTCYN1 on the surface of high and low-density polyethylene and polypropylene. In the presence of these plastics, EPS production has also been reported by this strain. Whole genome sequence analysis reveals the presence of many genes involved in biofilm formation. The presence of key enzymes responsible for plastic degradation laccase, esterase, lipase, thioesterase, and peroxidase have been predicted in the genome analysis. Genome analysis also provides insight into the genes involved in biotin biosynthetic pathways. Furthermore, the presence of many selenoproteins reveals the selenium acquisition by this cyanobacterium.

Degradation and detoxification of phenanthrene by actinobacterium Zhihengliuella sp. ISTPL4

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are universal environmental contaminants of great concern with regard to their potential exposure and deleterious effect on human health. The current study is the first report of phenanthrene degradation by a psychrotolerant (15 °C), halophilic (5% NaCl), and alkalophilic (pH 8) bacterial strain Zhihengliuella sp. ISTPL4, isolated from the sediment sample of the Pangong Lake, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Degradation studies revealed that the optimum specific growth rate was observed at 250 ppm of phenanthrene with 81% and 87% removal of phenanthrene in 72 h and 168 h, respectively. During the degradation of phenanthrene; 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene; 1-phenanthrenecarboxylic acid; and phthalic acid were detected as intermediates. Whole-genome sequencing of strain ISTPL4 has predicted phenanthrene; 9,10-monooxygense; and epoxide hydrolase B that are involved in the phenanthrene metabolism. Phenanthrene cytotoxicity was evaluated with human hepatic carcinoma cell line (HepG2) and it was observed that the cytotoxicity decreased with increased duration of bacterial incubation and maximum cell viability was observed at 168 h (89.92%). Our results suggest, Zhihengliuella sp. ISTPL4 may promise a great potential for environmental remediation applications.