title: Draft genome sequence of the marineRhodobacteraceaestrain O3.65, cultivated from oil-polluted seawater of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
abstract: The marine alphaproteobacterium strain O3.65 was isolated from an enrichment culture of surface seawater contaminated with weathered oil (slicks) from the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill and belongs to the ubiquitous, diverse and ecological relevantRoseobactergroup within theRhodobacteraceae. Here, we present a preliminary set of physiological features of strain O3.65 and a description and annotation of its draft genome sequence. Based on our data we suggest potential ecological roles of the isolate in the degradation of crude oil within the network of the oil-enriched microbial community. The draft genome comprises 4,852,484 bp with 4,591 protein-coding genes and 63 RNA genes. Strain O3.65 utilizes pentoses, hexoses, disaccharides and amino acids as carbon and energy source and is able to grow on several hydroxylated and substituted aromatic compounds. Based on 16S rRNA gene comparison the closest described and validated strain isPhaeobacter inhibensDSM 17395, however, strain O3.65 is lacking several phenotypic and genomic characteristics specific for the genusPhaeobacter. Phylogenomic analyses based on the whole genome support extensive genetic exchange of strain O3.65 with members of the genusRuegeria, potentially by using the secretion system type IV. Our physiological observations are consistent with the genomic and phylogenomic analyses and support that strain O3.65 is a novel species of a new genus within theRhodobacteraceae.
authors: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.
authors: Helge-Ansgar
authors: HA
authors: Giebel
authors: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.
authors: Franziska
authors: F
authors: Klotz
authors: Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology and Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
authors: Sonja
authors: S
authors: Voget
authors: Department of Genomic and Applied Microbiology and Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
authors: Anja
authors: A
authors: Poehlein
authors: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.
authors: Katrin
authors: K
authors: Grosser
authors: Department of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA.
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Teske
authors: Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.
authors: Thorsten
authors: T
authors: Brinkhoff
keywords: Deepwater Horizon; Hydrocarbon; Marine bacteria; Oil degradation; Oil spill; Rhodobacteraceae; Rhodobacterales; Roseobacter