Best Poster AwardPseudomonas sp. M1 is able to utilize a large variety of toxic and/or recalcitrant
compounds as sole carbon and energy sources, including phenols, benzene and
monoterpenes like myrcene [1-3]. Therefore, M1 strain holds great potential as a source
of novel biomolecules and cell factories for various biotechnological applications
namely in biocatalysis, biosensors, bioremediation and biomedicine. However, the full
exploitation of its enzymatic repertoire requires detailed and integrated information
about the biomolecular catalog of M1 strain, including genes, proteins and metabolites.
In this context, the genome of Pseudomonas sp. M1 was sequenced by NGS
technologies, using Illumina GA IIx and Roche 454 FLX. The resulting raw data was
assembled and annotated using different pipelines. The current genome draft of
Pseudomonas sp. M1 has an estimated GC content of 67%, a size of about 7.1 Mbps
and includes 6276 CDS. Importantly, in silico genome analysis predicted a number of
metabolic pathways involved in utilization/biotransformation of several unusual carbons
sources (e.g. biphenyls, halophenols and different monoterpenes).
Proteomic and transcriptomic approaches have been setup envisaging the elucidation of
the myrcene stimulon. In 2009, a set of myrcene-dependent proteins has been described
using subproteome analysis of the cytoplasmic fraction [3]. In this work, a RNA-seq
transcriptome analysis led to the identification of a 28kb genomic island of key
importance in the catabolism of myrcene. This island includes genes involved in: i)
myrcene oxidation and bioconversion of myrcene derivatives via a beta-oxidation like
pathway; ii) regulation of myrcene pathway; iii) myrcene sensing. In addition several
other gene clusters spread in the genome of Pseudomonas sp. M1 have been found to be
myrcene-dependently expressed and are under investigation.
Integration of genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolic data will deliver a very
solid and detailed description of the myrcene catabolism (and other monoterpenes), and
on the associated molecular mechanisms of adaptation, providing the adequate support
for the application of M1 as a biocatalyst in whole-cell biotransformations of plantderived
volatiles.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT