Lysinibacillus pinottii sp. nov., a novel species with anti-mosquito and anti-mollusk activity

Authors: Dunlap, Christopher; Johnson, Eric; BURKETT-CADENA, MARLENY - Pathway Biologic; CADENA, JOHANNA - Pathway Biologic; Muturi, Ephantus

Submitted to: Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/23/2024
Publication Date: 7/13/2024
Citation: Dunlap, C.A., Johnson, E.T., Burkett-Cadena, M., Cadena, J., Muturi, E.J. 2024. Lysinibacillus pinottii sp. nov., a novel species with anti-mosquito and anti-mollusk activity. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-024-01993-7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-024-01993-7

Interpretive Summary: In this research we report the description of a new species of bacteria (Lysinibacillus pinottii) that has anti-mosquito, anti-mollusk and plant growth promoting activity. Describing this unique group of strains as a novel species will make it easier to communicate and conduct research on this strain. The unique activities associated with this species of bacteria suggests it should be further explored for biocontrol applications of pest insects and mollusks. This research supports the rapid development of this group of strains as new crop protection or pest control products.

Technical Abstract: An isolate of a Gram-positive, strictly aerobic, motile, rod-shaped, endospore forming bacterium was originally isolated from soil when screening and bioprospecting for plant beneficial microorganisms. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that this strain was closely related to Lysinibacillus fusiformis NRRL NRS-350T (99.7%) and Lysinibacillus sphaericus NRRL B-23268T (99.2%). In phenotypic characterization, the novel strain was found to grow between 10-45 °C and tolerate up to 8% (w/v) NaCl. Furthermore, the strain grew in media with pH 5 to 10 (optimal growth at pH 7.0). The predominant cellular fatty acids were observed to be iso-C15:0 (52.3%), anteiso-C15:0 (14.8%), C16:1w7C alcohol (11.2%), and C16:0 (9.5%). The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained lysine-aspartic acid, the same as congeners. A draft genome was completed and the DNA G+C content was determined to be 37.1% (mol content). A phylogenomic analysis on the core genome of the new strain and 5 closest type strains of Lysinibacillus revealed this strain formed a distinct monophyletic clade with the nearest neighbor being Lysinibacillus fusiformis. DNA-DNA relatedness studies using in silico DNA-DNA hybridizations (DDH) showed this species was below the species threshold of 70%. Based upon the consensus of phylogenetic and phenotypic analyses, we conclude that this strain represents a novel species within the genus Lysinibacillus, for which the name Lysinibacillus pinottii sp. nov. is proposed, with type strain PB211T (=NRRL B-65672T, =CCUG 77181T).