Comparative Analysis of Draft Genome Sequence of Rhodococcus sp. Eu-32 with Other Rhodococcus Species for Its Taxonomic Status and Sulfur Metabolism Potential.

Rhodococcus sp. Eu-32 has shown an extended novel dibenzothiophene desulfurization sulfur-specific 4S pathway and could remove significant amounts of organic sulfur from coal. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of Eu-32 with a genome size of approximately 5.61 Mb, containing 5065 protein coding sequences with a G+C content of 65.1%. The Rhodococcus sp. Eu-32 showed ~ 99% identity at the 16S rRNA gene sequence level while < 34% digital DNA-DNA hybridization and < 81% average nucleotide identity values with the genome sequence of most closely related known Rhodococcus species, suggesting that it is taxonomically different from the already reported Rhodococcus species. Among the annotated genes, 90 are involved in the metabolism of sulfur. Comparative genome analysis suggests many commonalities in sulfur metabolism gene sets that may have evolved due to many factors including ecological pressures. Our study and the genome sequence data will be available for further research and will provide insights into potential biotechnological and industrial applications of this bacterium.