Kordia algicida OT-1 Genome sequencing
The project LUPIN proposes to address the question of the role of luxR solos genes in the interactions between the algicidal genus Kordia and diatoms, the most abundant group of microalgae in temperate seas which produces about 25% of the total carbon fixed on the planet. Our hypothesis is that the luxR solos genes of Kordia species are involved in their ability to colonize the phycosphere (biofilm production) and in their virulence against diatoms. To assess the role of LuxR receptors in vivo, we need to develop a genetic system to be able to produce deletion mutants for two target luxR genes in the species Kordia algicida to allow a comparison of their physiological response (phycosphere colonization, virulence properties) to the wild-type (WT) strain. So far K.algicida is genetically recalcitrant seemingly due to several active restriction-modification (RM) systems. We will attempt to overcome these RM barriers by the mimicry by methylation approach using plasmid artificial modification (PAM) to pre-methylate the deletion vectors. To allow the identification of the methylases, the methylome of K.algicida was acquired by Pacbio sequencing.