# The first whole-genome sequence of a prospective novel sponge-associated Streptomyces strain from Indonesia with a long 1.5 Mbp terminal inverted repeat

## TL;DR

Scientists sequenced the genome of a new Streptomyces strain from an Indonesian sponge, finding a unique 1.5 Mbp inverted repeat and potential for bioactive compounds.

## Contribution

This is the first whole-genome sequence of a novel sponge-associated Streptomyces strain with a long terminal inverted repeat.

## Key findings

- The genome of Streptomyces sp. BTA 1-131 is 10.23 Mbp with a GC content of 71.57%.
- A 1.5 Mbp long-terminal inverted repeat was identified in the genome.
- The strain likely represents a new species within the Streptomyces genus.

## Abstract

Streptomyces sp. BTA 1-131 was isolated from the marine sponge
Melophlus sarasinorum collected in Indonesia. The crude extracts of this strain displayed antibacterial and cytotoxic activity, and therefore, to further investigate the bioactive potential of the strain, whole genome sequencing was performed in this study. The whole genome sequencing of
Streptomyces sp. BTA 1-131 was conducted using both Illumina NextSeq and Oxford Nanopore platforms with a de novo hybrid assembly approach. The high-quality genome obtained is 10.23 Mbp with a GC content of 71.57%. It is organised into a single chromosomal contig, two linear plasmids, and one circular plasmid. Interestingly, a long-terminal inverted repeat (L-TIR) sequence of 1.5 Mbp has been confirmed in the strain genome. Phylogenomic analysis suggested that the strain BTA 1-131 likely represents a new species within the genus
Streptomyces. To the best of our knowledge, the genome data described here would be the first report on the hybrid genome sequence of
Streptomyces associated with the rarely reported sponge
Melophlus sarasinorum from Indonesia, with a unique feature of L-TIR. The complete genome data generated here will provide compelling information for further analysis of the biosynthetic potential of the strain BTA 1-131 to produce new bioactive compounds.