Genomic Relationship Between Brochothrix campestris and Its Phages: A Cross-Replicon and Interspecies Perspective

TL;DR

This paper explores the genomic relationship between the bacterium Brochothrix campestris and its phages, revealing insights into their evolution and interactions.

Contribution

The study provides a complete genome sequence of B. campestris and identifies phage-related genomic elements.

Findings

The genome assembly revealed a plasmid and a phage-plasmid in B. campestris.

Genomic islands, including one with brochocin genes, suggest horizontal gene transfer.

Phages are highlighted as important in the evolution of B. campestris.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The bacterium Brochothrix campestris is closely related to Brochothrix thermosphacta, a known food spoilage agent, and Listeria monocytogenes, the causative agent of listeriosis. B. campestris garnered attention several years ago because it produces brochocin-C, a bacteriocin capable of inhibiting the growth of certain pathogens. It has been recently suggested that phages play a significant role in the evolution of B. thermosphacta, similar to the role they play for L. monocytogenes. However, understanding the role of phages in the evolution of B. campestris has been challenging because only a draft of genome sequences of a single B. campestris strain was previously available. Methods: In this study, DNA from the B. campestris type strain DSM 4712 was sequenced using Oxford Nanopore and Illumina technologies to obtain complete, high-quality genome sequences. Results: The assembly revealed the presence of a plasmid and a phage-plasmid. Additionally, chromosomal analysis identified several genomic islands, including one harboring the brochocin genes, suggesting that these genes may have undergone horizontal transfer. Conclusions: This study underscores the potential importance of phages in the evolution of B. campestris, and also highlights the need for further research into the interactions between Brochothrix species and their associated phages to better understand these complex biological relationships.

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