Characterization and Genomic Analysis of the Naphthalene-Degrading Delftia tsuruhatensis ULwDis3 Isolated from Seawater

Abstract

Strains of the genus Delftia are poorly studied microorganisms. In this work, the complete genome of the naphthalene-degrading Delftia tsuruhatensis strain ULwDis3 isolated from seawater of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea was assembled. For the first time, genes encoding naphthalene cleavage pathways via salicylate and gentisate were identified in a strain of the genus Delftia. The genes are part of one operon (nag genes). Three open reading frames (ORFs) were found in the genome of D. tsuruhatensis strain ULwDis3 that encode gentisate 1.2-dioxygenase. One of the ORFs is part of the nag operon. The physiological and biochemical characteristics of the strain ULwDis3 when cultured in mineral medium with naphthalene as the sole source of carbon and energy were also studied. It was found that after 22 h of growth, the strain stopped consuming naphthalene, and at the same time, naphthalene 1.2-dioxygenase and salicylate 5-hydroxylase activities were not detected. Later, a decrease in the number of living cells and the death of the culture were observed. Gentisate 1.2-dioxygenase activity was detected from the time of gentisate formation until culture death.

Complete genome sequence of Delftia tsuruhatensis strain HA60 isolated from a commercial hydroxyapatite nano-particle product (nano-hydroxyapatite)

“…tsuruhatensis reveals extensive gene diversity through horizontal gene transfer ( 1 , 2 ). D. tsuruhatensis is capable of the biodegradation of environmental pollutants such as chlorobenzene, dimethylphenols, diesel fuel, naphthalene, and peptidoglycan ( 3 , 4 ). D. tsuruhatensis is resistant to heavy metals and capable of the synthesis of phytohormones, siderophores, and antibiotics ( 1 , 3 ).…”

“…D. tsuruhatensis is capable of the biodegradation of environmental pollutants such as chlorobenzene, dimethylphenols, diesel fuel, naphthalene, and peptidoglycan ( 3 , 4 ). D. tsuruhatensis is resistant to heavy metals and capable of the synthesis of phytohormones, siderophores, and antibiotics ( 1 , 3 ). Though the pathogenic roles of D. tsuruhatensis are little known, recent reports of clinical isolates indicate likely an emerging opportunistic pathogen ( 5 , 6 ).…”