Complete genome sequence and expression profile of the commercial lytic enzyme producer Lysobacter enzymogenes M497-1

Abstract Lysobacter enzymogenes M497-1 is a producer of commercialized achromopeptidase and is expected to harbour genes encoding various other antimicrobial enzymes. Here, we present the complete sequence of the genome of M497-1 and the expression profiles of the genes for various antimicrobial enzymes. Of the 117 peptidase-encoding genes found in the 6.1-Mb genome of M497-1, 15 genes (aside from the gene encoding the achromopeptidase) were expressed at a level higher than that of the average ribosomal protein genes in the 24-h culture. Thus, the strain was found more valuable than hitherto considered. In addition, M497-1 harbours 98 genes involved in the biosynthesis of various natural products, 16 of which are M497-1-specific across 4 Lysobacter species. A gene cluster starting at LEN_2603 through LEN_2673 among the 98 genes closely resembled the lysobactin biosynthesis gene cluster of Lysobacter sp. ATCC 53042. It is likely that M497-1 may produce lysobactin or related antibacterial compounds. Furthermore, comparative genomic analysis of M497-1 and four other Lysobacter species revealed that their core genome structure comprises 3,737 orthologous groups. Our findings are expected to advance further biotechnological application of Lysobacter spp. as a promising source of natural bioactive compounds.