Abstract
Genus Xanthomonas encompasses specialized group of phytopathogenic bacteria with genera Xylella, Stenotrophomonas and Pseudoxanthomonas being its closest relatives. While species of genera Xanthomonas and Xylella are known as serious phytopathogens, members of other two genera are found in diverse habitats with metabolic versatility of biotechnological importance. Few species of Stenotrophomonas are multidrug resistant opportunistic nosocomial pathogens. In the present study, we report genomic resource of genus Pseudoxanthomonas and further in-depth comparative studies with publically available genome resources of other three genera. Surprisingly, based on deep phylo-taxono-genomic or DEEPT criteria, all the four genera were found to be one genus and hence synonyms of Xanthomonas. The members of Pseudoxanthomonas are more diverse and ancestral and rest forming two mega species groups (MSGs) i.e. Xanthomonas Xylella (XX-MSG) and Stenotrophomonas (S-MSG). Within XX-MSG, there are 3 species complexes i.e., X. citri complex (Xcc) member species are primarily pathogenic to dicots, X. hyacinthi complex (Xhc) member species are primarily pathogenic to monocots and Xanthomonas (Xylella) fastidosa complex (Xfc) with diverse phytopathogenic potential. Interestingly, Xylella seems to be a variant Xanthomonas lineage or species complex that is sandwiched between Xcc and Xhc. Like Xylella, within S-MSG, we find a species complex of clinical origin Xanthomonas (Stenotrophomonas) maltophilia complex (Xmc). Comparative studies revealed selection and role of xanthomonadin pigment and xanthan gum in emergence of plant pathogenic XX-MSG. Pan genome analysis also revealed large set of unique genes with particular functions suited for plant/animal lifestyle responsible for emergence of variant Xfc and Xmc species complexes. Overall, our systematic and large scale genera based study has allowed us to understand the origin and to clarify the taxonomic breadth of genus of high importance in agriculture, medicine and industry. Such DEEPT genomics studies are also way forward to identify right markers or functions for diagnosis and drug development of any pathogenic bacteria.
Repositories Genome Submission Accession Number:
MWIP00000000, PDWO00000000, PDWN00000000, PDWT00000000, PDWS00000000, PDWW00000000, PDWU00000000, PDWR00000000, PDWL00000000, PDWQ00000000, PDWM00000000, PDWP00000000, PDWV00000000, PDWK00000000 and QOVG00000000
Footnotes
Abbreviations: DEEPT genomics: deep phylo-taxono-genomics; MSGs: mega species groups; XX-MSG: Xanthomonas Xylella mega species groups; S-MSG: Stenotrophomonas mega species groups; Xcc: X. citri complex; Xhc: X. hyacinthi complex; Xfc: Xanthomonas (Xylella) fastidosa complex; Xmc: Xanthomonas (Stenotrophomonas) maltophilia complex; XSXP: Xanthomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Xylella and Pseudoxanthomonas; POCP: percentage of conserved protein, AAI: Average amino acid identity, ANI: Average nucleotide identity.