Assembly and annotation of Methylobacterium mesophilicum SR1.6/6 genome

Abstract

The genus Methylobacterium bacteria is composed of pinkish, methylotrophic (PPFMs) and endophytic bacteria that can colonize the host plant. Some species of this genus are able to promote growth, increase the photosynthetic activity of the host plant and reduce the attack of pathogens. This genus has attracted great scientific interest because it has potential for synthesis of biotech products with high added value. Genomic and proteomic analysis have been conducted to understand the interaction between Methylobacterium spp. and host plant, because little is known about the regulatory mechanisms that determine the adaptation of these bacteria in plant tissues. The strain SR1.6 / 6 M. mesophilicum is a bacterium isolated from citrus and due to its interaction with the host plant and possibly Xylella fastidiosa, has been the focus of several studies. Thus, this project aims to assemble and annotate the genome of M. mesophilicum within the project "Identification and characterization of genes differentially expressed in the interaction between host plant and Methylobacterium mesophilicum" (Proc. FAPESP 2010/07594-5). The sequencing data have been obtained via DNA-pyrosequencing, generating a coverage of 37X. Thus, we believe that you can close the genome of endophytic bacteria. Moreover, given that other species of Methylobacterium have been sequenced, you can also compare the genomes of endophytic species (M. nodulans and M. mesophilicum) and not endophytic (M. chloromethanicum., M. populi and M. radiotolerans). Finally, this paper aims to provide insight for studies of genes of biotechnological interest and mainly associated with plant-microorganism interaction. (AU)