Abstract
Azotobacter is a diverse genus of free-living soil bacteria that fixes atmospheric nitrogen and act as a biocontrol agent for different phytopathogens. This study utilized the genomic sequences from four different Azotobacter species, comprising thirty strains, to construct the genus pangenome. Through comparative genomics and pangenomics analysis, we elucidated the genomic diversity and functional relationship between and within the species of the Azotobacter genus. The selected Azotobacter strains exhibited an ANI of ≥ 85%, with core genes constituting up to 9% and a large proportion of 55% of unique genes. This indicated the sharing of a highly open pangenome of the Azotobacter genus. The COG analysis revealed that core, unique, and accessory genes play a significant role in the Azotobacter’s metabolic and information storage processes. The KEGG enrichment evaluation showed general functioning, amino acid transport and metabolism, as the major biological processes of the Azotobacter’s genomic content. Furthermore, the predominant BGCs present in the genomic structure of Azotobacter genus exhibited a 27% participation in the production of NRP-metallophores, 17% for the NI-siderophores and 17% for type III polyketide synthase (T3PKS). The genomic content analysis of the core genome revealed various genes that encoded for acid and universal stress proteins, playing a role in Azotobacters adaptation. For the biological functioning attributes, it was found that alginate production, riboflavin transporters, nitrogen-responsive regulatory flavoprotein, nitrogen-related phosphotransferase, and molybdenum cofactor genes were involved in its core genome for the major functioning of its nitrogen fixation.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call