Serratia liquefaciens FG3 isolated from a metallophyte plant sheds light on the evolution and mechanisms of adaptive traits in extreme environments

Serratia liquefaciens strain FG3 (SlFG3), isolated from the flower of Stachytarpheta glabra in the Brazilian ferruginous fields, has distinctive genomic, adaptive, and biotechnological potential. Herein, using a combination of genomics and molecular approaches, we unlocked the evolution of the adaptive traits acquired by S1FG3, which exhibits the second largest chromosome containing the largest conjugative plasmids described for Serratia. Comparative analysis revealed the presence of 18 genomic islands and 311 unique protein families involved in distinct adaptive features. S1FG3 has a diversified repertoire of genes associated with Nonribosomal peptides (NRPs/PKS), a complete and functional cluster related to cellulose synthesis, and an extensive and functional repertoire of oxidative metabolism genes. In addition, S1FG3 possesses a complete pathway related to protocatecuate and chloroaromatic degradation, and a complete repertoire of genes related to DNA repair and protection that includes mechanisms related to UV light tolerance, redox process resistance, and a laterally acquired capacity to protect DNA using phosphorothioation. These findings summarize that SlFG3 is well-adapted to different biotic and abiotic stress situations imposed by extreme conditions associated with ferruginous fields, unlocking the impact of the lateral gene transfer to adjust the genome for extreme environments, and providing insight into the evolution of prokaryotes. Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior -Brazil (CAPES)CAPES [001, CFP 51/2013, 3385/2013]; National Council of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq)National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) [481226/2013-3]; Foundation of Protection to Research of the State of Minas Gerais - FAPEMIG [APQ-02387-14, APQ-02357-17]; CNPqNational Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq); Fundect-MS [TO 141/2016, TO 007/2015, 007/2015 SIAFEM 025139]; UFOP grants; Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences UNESP, Jaboticabal campus Thanks to all members of the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (LBBM, Federal University of Ouro Preto, UFOP) and to the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences UNESP, Jaboticabal campus, for their support. This study was financed in part by the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior -Brazil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001 - (the BIGA Project, CFP 51/2013, process 3385/2013), National Council of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq Process 481226/2013-3), and Foundation of Protection to Research of the State of Minas Gerais - FAPEMIG (process APQ-02387-14 and process APQ-02357-17). LMM, JCS, AMV, NFA and JAF have a research fellowship from CNPq. NFA has grants from Fundect-MS (TO 141/2016 and TO 007/2015) and Fundect-MS (007/2015 SIAFEM 025139). LAGM and LMM have UFOP grants. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.