Draft genome sequences of Pantoea agglomerans and Pantoea vagans isolates associated with termites.

Marike Palmer,Pieter De Maayer,Teresa A Coutinho,Michael Poulsen,Emma T Steenkamp,Stephanus N Venter,Elritha Van Zyl

doi:10.1186/s40793-016-0144-z

Abstract

The genus Pantoea incorporates many economically and clinically important species. The plant-associated species, Pantoea agglomerans and Pantoea vagans, are closely related and are often isolated from similar environments. Plasmids conferring certain metabolic capabilities are also shared amongst these two species. The genomes of two isolates obtained from fungus-growing termites in South Africa were sequenced, assembled and annotated. A high number of orthologous genes are conserved within and between these species. The difference in genome size between P. agglomerans MP2 (4,733,829 bp) and P. vagans MP7 (4,598,703 bp) can largely be attributed to the differences in plasmid content. The genome sequences of these isolates may shed light on the common traits that enable P. agglomerans and P. vagans to co-occur in plant- and insect-associated niches.

Highlights

The bacterial genus Pantoea contains several economically important plant pathogens, as well as strains of clinical importance [10]
In this study we summarize the features of a P. agglomerans (Mn107) and a P. vagans (Mn109) that were isolated from two different colonies of the fungusgrowing termite Macrotermes natalensis in South Africa, and provide an overview of the draft genome sequences and annotations for these two strains
Our results showed that P. agglomerans and P. vagans group as sister-species (Fig. 2)

Summary

Introduction

The bacterial genus Pantoea contains several economically important plant pathogens, as well as strains of clinical importance [10]. P. agglomerans and P. vagans are most commonly isolated from similar ecological niches, including both plant and insect hosts [41]. In this study we summarize the features of a P. agglomerans (Mn107) and a P. vagans (Mn109) that were isolated from two different colonies of the fungusgrowing termite Macrotermes natalensis in South Africa, and provide an overview of the draft genome sequences and annotations for these two strains. This analysis included closely related members in the genus Pantoea with available genome sequences, and was based on partial nucleotide sequences of four protein coding genes (i.e., atpD, carA, gyrB, infB, recA and rpoB) [57].

Results

Conclusion