Whole Genome Analysis and Assessment of the Metabolic Potential of Gordonia rubripertincta Strain 112, a Degrader of Aromatic and Aliphatic Compounds

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In the modern world, natural ecosystems are subjected to significant anthropogenic and technogenic stress. As a result of industrial processes, pollutants of various chemical structures are discharged into water and soil ecosystems. Many bacteria are able to utilize pollutants, thus contributing to the remediation of polluted ecosystems. The Gordonia rubripertincta strain 112 is interesting as a destroyer of aromatic and aliphatic compounds. The study of the molecular mechanisms of its functioning will allow us to use it effectively in green technologies in the future. We have shown that the strain is able to quickly cope with toxic pollutants without stress and growth inhibition. ABSTRACT: The application of Gordonia strains in biotechnologies of environmental purification as degraders of pollutants of different chemical structures is an interesting research topic. The strain Gordonia rubripertincta 112 (IEGM112) is capable of utilizing diesel fuel, alkanes, and aromatic compounds. The aim of this work was to study the potential of G. rubripertincta 112 as a degrader of aromatic and aliphatic compounds and analyze its complete genome in comparison with other known G. rubripertincta strains. The genome had a total length of 5.28 Mb and contained 4861 genes in total, of which 4799 were coding sequences (CDS). The genome contained 62 RNA genes in total, of which 50 were tRNAs, three were ncRNAs, and nine were rRNAs. The strain bears plasmid elements with a total length of 189,570 nucleotides (plasmid p1517). The strain can utilize 10.79 ± 1.17% of hexadecane and 16.14 ± 0.16% of decane over 3 days of cultivation. In the genome of the strain, we have found metabolic pathways of alkane (cytochrome P450 hydroxylases) and catechol (ortho- and meta-pathways) degradation. These results will help us to further approach the fundamental study of the processes occurring in the strain cells and to enrich our knowledge of the catabolic capabilities of G. rubripertincta.