Complete Genome Sequence of a High Lipid-Producing Strain of Mucor circinelloides WJ11 and Comparative Genome Analysis with a Low Lipid-Producing Strain CBS 277.49.

Xin Tang,Lina Zhao,Wei Chen,Yuanda Song,Haiqin Chen,Colin Ratledge,Yong Q Chen,Yong-Sun Bahn

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0137543

Xin Tang, Lina Zhao + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0137543

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Abstract

The genome of a high lipid-producing fungus Mucor circinelloides WJ11 (36% w/w lipid, cell dry weight, CDW) was sequenced and compared with that of the low lipid-producing strain, CBS 277.49 (15% w/w lipid, CDW), which had been sequenced by Joint Genome Institute. The WJ11 genome assembly size was 35.4 Mb with a G+C content of 39.7%. The general features of WJ11 and CBS 277.49 indicated that they have close similarity at the level of gene order and gene identity. Whole genome alignments with MAUVE revealed the presence of numerous blocks of homologous regions and MUMmer analysis showed that the genomes of these two strains were mostly co-linear. The central carbon and lipid metabolism pathways of these two strains were reconstructed and the numbers of genes encoding the enzymes related to lipid accumulation were compared. Many unique genes coding for proteins involved in cell growth, carbohydrate metabolism and lipid metabolism were identified for each strain. In conclusion, our study on the genome sequence of WJ11 and the comparative genomic analysis between WJ11 and CBS 277.49 elucidated the general features of the genome and the potential mechanism of high lipid accumulation in strain WJ11 at the genomic level. The different numbers of genes and unique genes involved in lipid accumulation may play a role in the high oleaginicity of strain WJ11.

Highlights

Microbial oils have gathered interest as sources of nutritionally important polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and as potential sources of biofuels [1,2]. γ-Linolenic acid (GLA; 18:3, n-6) is a critical PUFA and has proven beneficial for prevention and treatment of inflammatory disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, atopic dermatitis and cancers [3]
Whole-genome sequencing of M. circinelloides WJ11 was performed with a combined strategy using Illumina and Roche sequencing technology and the sequence of M. circinelloides WJ11 was deposited in the public genome database (GenBank accession LGTF00000000)
The genome of M. circinelloides WJ11, which accumulates up to 36% lipid (w/w, CDW), was sequenced and compared with the low lipid-producing strain CBS 277.49 (15% lipid, w/w, CDW), which had been sequenced by the Joint Genome Institute (JGI)

Summary

Introduction

Microbial oils have gathered interest as sources of nutritionally important polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and as potential sources of biofuels [1,2]. γ-Linolenic acid (GLA; 18:3, n-6) is a critical PUFA and has proven beneficial for prevention and treatment of inflammatory disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, atopic dermatitis and cancers [3]. Microbial oils have gathered interest as sources of nutritionally important polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and as potential sources of biofuels [1,2]. Γ-Linolenic acid (GLA; 18:3, n-6) is a critical PUFA and has proven beneficial for prevention and treatment of inflammatory disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, atopic dermatitis and cancers [3]. As a typical oleaginous filamentous fungus, has been widely used for lipid accumulation. Sequencing Mucor circinelloides WJ11 and Comparative Genome Analysis. Talents (NCET-13-0831), and the Strategic Merieux Research Grant. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

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