Complete genome sequence of Serratia marcescens strain N4-5, a biological control agent of soil-borne plant pathogens

Authors: FERREIRA, L - Federal University Of Lavras; Maul, Jude; VIANA, M - Federal University Of Minas Gerais; DE SOUSA, T - Federal University Of Minas Gerais; AZEVEDO, V - Federal University Of Minas Gerais; Roberts, Daniel; DE SOUZA, J - Federal University Of Lavras

Submitted to: Brazilian Journal of Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/15/2020
Publication Date: 9/23/2020
Citation: Ferreira, L.A., Maul, J.E., Viana, M.V., De Sousa, T.J., Azevedo, V.A., Roberts, D.P., De Souza, J.T. 2020. Complete genome sequence of Serratia marcescens strain N4-5, a biological control agent of soil-borne plant pathogens. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology. 52:245-250. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42770-020-00382-2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42770-020-00382-2

Interpretive Summary: Ethanolic extracts from Serratia marcescens isolate N4-5 provide consistent control of important soil-borne plant pathogens. ARS researchers in Beltsville, Maryland, in collaboration with scientists at the Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil, sequenced and annotated the genome of isolate N4-5. This annotated genome sequence will help determine the biosynthetic pathway for prodigiosin, the disease control molecule, as well as other disease control molecules produced by this isolate. Knowledge of biosynthetic pathways will help scientists devise strategies to increase production of these important disease control molecules.

Technical Abstract: Serratia marcescens are gram-negative bacteria found in several environmental niches, including the plant rhizosphere and patients in hospitals. Here we present the genome of Serratia marcescens strain N4-5 (=NRRL B-65519) isolated from soil from New Jersey (USA). Strain N4-5, and its natural products, are applied as seed treatments in biological control strategies to control seed and seedling disease of cucurbits caused by the important soil-borne plant pathogen, Pythium ultimum. This strain represents the third strain of this species with plant-beneficial properties with a complete genome sequence. The genome size of S. marcescens N4-5 is 5,074,473 bp (664-fold coverage) and contains 4,840 protein coding genes, 21 RNA genes, and an average G+C content of 59.7%. We present the genome and discuss the presence of genes of interest for direct and indirect biological control activity against plant pathogens, such as the production of prodiogiosin, chitinases and siderophores. Our genome assembly uncovered an artifact present in others of the 48 Serratia spp. complete genomes deposited in public databases. This newly assembled artifact-free genome will improve the quality of new genome assemblies and enhance the understanding of plant-beneficial bacteria.