Análise de colinearidade gênica do operon aprX-lipA em isolados de Pseudomonas fluorescens

Abstract

Pseudomonas fluorescens are Gram-negative bacilli that are motile and found in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Due to their psychrotrophic characteristics, these bacteria are often associated with the contamination of unpasteurized milk and its derivatives, such as cheese and butter. The proteases and lipases produced by P. fluorescens are the primary factors in the prevalence of dairy product contamination. These enzymes are encoded by the aprX and lipA genes, which are present in the aprX-lipA operon. In this regard, we evaluated the genomic components surrounding the aprX-lipA operon of P. fluorescens from different sources, aiming to detect genetic patterns inherent to these organisms and their correlation with proteolytic activity. We used the NCBI database, the String platform, and Interpro for comparative evaluation of the selected genomes. In the four isolates analyzed, the aprX-lipA operon is highly variable structurally, with unique configurations for each genome. The gene co-expression relationships of the genes surrounding the aprX protease also show qualitative and quantitative variations, both intra- and inter-species within the Pseudomonas genus. We detected components of the CRISPR type 1 system, previously unrelated to the operon, which can amplify, move, and modify genes related to the defense mechanism, pathogenic or not, of the genus. The patterns related to pathogenicity indicate that new biomarkers can be used for genomic surveillance.