Genome Annotation of Poly(lactic acid) Degrading Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Sphingobacterium sp. and Geobacillus sp.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Sphingobacterium sp. are well known for their ability to decontaminate many environmental pollutants while Geobacillus sp. have been exploited for their thermostable enzymes. This study reports the annotation of genomes of P. aeruginosa S3, Sphingobacterium S2 and Geobacillus EC-3 that were isolated from compost, based on their ability to degrade poly(lactic acid), PLA. Draft genomes of the strains were assembled from Illumina reads, annotated and viewed with the aim of gaining insight into the genetic elements involved in degradation of PLA. The draft genome of Sphinogobacterium strain S2 (435 contigs) was estimated at 5,604,691 bp and the draft genome of P. aeruginosa strain S3 (303 contigs) was estimated at 6,631,638 bp. The draft genome of the thermophile Geobacillus strain EC-3 (111 contigs) was estimated at 3,397,712 bp. A total of 5385 (60% with annotation), 6437 (80% with annotation) and 3790 (74% with annotation) protein-coding genes were predicted for strains S2, S3 and EC-3, respectively. Catabolic genes for the biodegradation of xenobiotics, aromatic compounds and lactic acid as well as the genes attributable to the establishment and regulation of biofilm were identified in all three draft genomes. Our results reveal essential genetic elements that facilitate PLA metabolism at mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures in these three isolates.

Automated summary

The genomes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa S3, Sphingobacterium S2, and Geobacillus EC-3, isolated from compost, were annotated to understand their ability to degrade poly(lactic acid) (PLA). The draft genomes revealed catabolic genes for biodegradation of xenobiotics, aromatic compounds, and lactic acid, as well as genes related to biofilm formation and regulation. These isolates possess essential genetic elements for PLA metabolism at both mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures.