Pangenome-level analysis of nucleoid-associated proteins in the Acidithiobacillia class: insights into their functional roles in mobile genetic elements biology

• DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1271138
• Publication Date: 2023-09-26T06:05:51Z
• Authors: Simón Beard; Ana Moya-Beltrán; Danitza Silva-García; Cesar Valenzuela; Tomás Pérez-Acle; Alejandra Loyola; Raquel Quatrini
• Keywords: Comparative Genomics; Nucleoid

Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) are relevant agents in bacterial adaptation and evolutionary diversification. Stable appropriation of these DNA depends on host factors, among which the nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs). NAPs highly abundant that bind bend DNA, altering its topology folding, thus affecting all known cellular processes from replication to expression. Even though NAP coding genes found most prokaryotic genomes, their functions chromosome biology xenogeneic silencing only for a few families. Less is about occurrence, abundance, roles MGE-encoded foreign establishment mobility. In this study, we used combination comparative genomics phylogenetic strategies gain insights into diversity, distribution, functional within class Acidithiobacillia with special focus role MGE biology. members aerobic, chemolithoautotrophic, acidophilic sulfur-oxidizers, encompassing substantial genotypic diversity attributable MGEs. Our search protein families (PFs) more than 90 genomes different species conform class, revealed presence 1,197 pertaining 12 families, differential occurrence conservation across species. Pangenome-level analysis 6 core PFs were conserved some also existed as variant forms scattered addition taxa-restricted distribution. Core identified reckoned essential based genomic context signals. turn, various diversified flexible gene complement be encoded plasmids or, larger integrated MGEs present loci associated MGE-hallmark genes, pointing stabilization/maintenance strains genomes. Both proved valuable markers, former accurately recapitulating phylogeny later, seed bioinformatic identification novel episomal mobile elements.